Indenture, dated May 28, 2021, among Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee
Exhibit 4.2
INDENTURE
Dated as of May 28, 2021
Among
NIELSEN FINANCE LLC,
NIELSEN FINANCE CO.,
THE GUARANTORS NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO
and
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee
4.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | ||||||
Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 24 | ||||
Section 1.03 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 25 | ||||
Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction | 25 | ||||
Section 1.05 | Acts of Holders | 26 | ||||
Section 1.06 | Limited Condition Transactions | 27 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 | ||||||
THE NOTES | ||||||
Section 2.01 | Form and Dating; Terms | 28 | ||||
Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication | 29 | ||||
Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 30 | ||||
Section 2.04 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 30 | ||||
Section 2.05 | Holder Lists | 30 | ||||
Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 31 | ||||
Section 2.07 | Replacement Notes | 40 | ||||
Section 2.08 | Outstanding Notes | 41 | ||||
Section 2.09 | Treasury Notes | 41 | ||||
Section 2.10 | Temporary Notes | 41 | ||||
Section 2.11 | Cancellation | 41 | ||||
Section 2.12 | Defaulted Interest | 42 | ||||
Section 2.13 | CUSIP Numbers | 42 | ||||
Section 2.14 | Calculation of Principal Amount of Securities | 42 | ||||
Section 2.15 | Additional Amounts | 43 | ||||
Section 2.16 | Computation of Interest | 44 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 | ||||||
REDEMPTION | ||||||
Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee | 44 | ||||
Section 3.02 | Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased | 44 | ||||
Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 45 | ||||
Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 46 | ||||
Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price | 46 | ||||
Section 3.06 | Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part | 46 | ||||
Section 3.07 | Optional Redemption | 47 | ||||
Section 3.08 | Mandatory Redemption | 48 | ||||
Section 3.09 | Redemption for Taxation Reasons | 48 |
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ARTICLE 4 | ||||||
COVENANTS | ||||||
Section 4.01 | Payment of Notes | 49 | ||||
Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 49 | ||||
Section 4.03 | Reports and Other Information | 49 | ||||
Section 4.04 | Compliance Certificate | 51 | ||||
Section 4.05 | Taxes | 51 | ||||
Section 4.06 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 51 | ||||
Section 4.07 | [Reserved] | 52 | ||||
Section 4.08 | [Reserved] | 52 | ||||
Section 4.09 | [Reserved] | 52 | ||||
Section 4.10 | [Reserved] | 52 | ||||
Section 4.11 | [Reserved] | 52 | ||||
Section 4.12 | Liens | 52 | ||||
Section 4.13 | Corporate Existence | 52 | ||||
Section 4.14 | Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control | 53 | ||||
Section 4.15 | Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries | 54 | ||||
Section 4.16 | Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions | 55 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 | ||||||
SUCCESSORS | ||||||
Section 5.01 | Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets | 56 | ||||
Section 5.02 | Successor Corporation Substituted | 57 | ||||
ARTICLE 6 | ||||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | ||||||
Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 58 | ||||
Section 6.02 | Acceleration | 61 | ||||
Section 6.03 | Other Remedies | 62 | ||||
Section 6.04 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 62 | ||||
Section 6.05 | Control by Majority | 62 | ||||
Section 6.06 | Limitation on Suits | 62 | ||||
Section 6.07 | Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment | 63 | ||||
Section 6.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 63 | ||||
Section 6.09 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 63 | ||||
Section 6.10 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 63 | ||||
Section 6.11 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 63 | ||||
Section 6.12 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 64 | ||||
Section 6.13 | Priorities | 64 | ||||
Section 6.14 | Undertaking for Costs | 65 |
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Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 7 | ||||||
TRUSTEE | ||||||
Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee | 65 | ||||
Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee | 66 | ||||
Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 67 | ||||
Section 7.04 | Trustees Disclaimer | 67 | ||||
Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults | 67 | ||||
Section 7.06 | Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes | 67 | ||||
Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 68 | ||||
Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 68 | ||||
Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 69 | ||||
Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 69 | ||||
Section 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers | 70 | ||||
ARTICLE 8 | ||||||
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | ||||||
Section 8.01 | Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 70 | ||||
Section 8.02 | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 70 | ||||
Section 8.03 | Covenant Defeasance | 71 | ||||
Section 8.04 | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 71 | ||||
Section 8.05 | Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 73 | ||||
Section 8.06 | Repayment to Issuers | 73 | ||||
Section 8.07 | Reinstatement | 73 | ||||
ARTICLE 9 | ||||||
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | ||||||
Section 9.01 | Without Consent of Holders of Notes | 74 | ||||
Section 9.02 | With Consent of Holders of Notes | 75 | ||||
Section 9.03 | [Reserved] | 77 | ||||
Section 9.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 77 | ||||
Section 9.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 77 | ||||
Section 9.06 | Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. | 77 | ||||
Section 9.07 | Payment for Consent | 77 | ||||
Section 9.08 | Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount | 78 | ||||
ARTICLE 10 | ||||||
GUARANTEES | ||||||
Section 10.01 | Guarantee | 78 | ||||
Section 10.02 | Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 79 | ||||
Section 10.03 | Execution and Delivery | 80 | ||||
Section 10.04 | Subrogation | 80 | ||||
Section 10.05 | Benefits Acknowledged | 80 |
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Page | ||||||
Section 10.06 | Release of Guarantees | 80 | ||||
Section 10.07 | Certain Dutch, Irish, Luxembourg and Swiss Matters | 81 | ||||
ARTICLE 11 | ||||||
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | ||||||
Section 11.01 | Satisfaction and Discharge | 82 | ||||
Section 11.02 | Application of Trust Money | 83 | ||||
ARTICLE 12 | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
Section 12.01 | [Reserved] | 84 | ||||
Section 12.02 | Notices | 84 | ||||
Section 12.03 | Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes | 85 | ||||
Section 12.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 85 | ||||
Section 12.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 85 | ||||
Section 12.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 86 | ||||
Section 12.07 | No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 86 | ||||
Section 12.08 | Governing Law | 86 | ||||
Section 12.09 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 86 | ||||
Section 12.10 | Force Majeure | 86 | ||||
Section 12.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 86 | ||||
Section 12.12 | Successors | 87 | ||||
Section 12.13 | Severability | 87 | ||||
Section 12.14 | Counterpart Originals | 87 | ||||
Section 12.15 | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 87 | ||||
Section 12.16 | [Reserved] | 87 | ||||
Section 12.17 | Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions | 87 | ||||
Section 12.18 | Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity | 89 | ||||
Section 12.19 | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 90 | ||||
EXHIBITS | ||||||
Exhibit A | Form of Note | |||||
Exhibit B | Form of Certificate of Transfer | |||||
Exhibit C | Form of Certificate of Exchange | |||||
Exhibit D | Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors |
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INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2021, among Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Nielsen LLC), Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (together with Nielsen LLC and not any of their subsidiaries, the Issuers), the Guarantors (as defined herein) listed on the signature pages hereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $625,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2031 (the Initial Notes); and
WHEREAS, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section | 1.01 Definitions. |
144A Global Note means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
4.500% Senior Notes means the Issuers 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029 originally issued May 28, 2021.
5.000% Lux Senior Notes means The Nielsen Company (Luxembourg) S.à r.l.s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2025 originally issued January 31, 2017.
5.625% Senior Notes means the Issuers 5.625% Senior Notes due 2028 originally issued on September 24, 2020.
5.875% Senior Notes means the Issuers 5.875% Senior Notes due 2030 originally issued on September 24, 2020.
Additional Notes means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
Agent means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:
(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note on such Redemption Date; and
(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Note at July 15, 2026 (such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07), plus (B) all required interest payments due on such Note through July 15, 2026 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.
Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Business Day means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation or a company, corporate stock or shares (as applicable);
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
Capitalized Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.
Capitalized Software Expenditures means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Subsidiaries.
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) U.S. dollars;
(2) (a) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or
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(b) in the case of any Covenant Party or Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by them from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government, any member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;
(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;
(6) commercial paper rated at least P-1 by Moodys or at least A-1 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;
(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moodys or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moodys nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;
(8) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above;
(9) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moodys or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(10) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of A or higher from S&P or A2 or higher from Moodys with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; and
(11) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moodys.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall (x) include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts and (y) not include Bitcoin.
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Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder;
(2) the Issuers become aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of a majority or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Parent; or
(3) Nielsen HF ceases to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Parent.
Clearstream means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme.
Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of Indebtedness of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest expense (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (w) any additional interest with respect to the Notes, (x) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, (y) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Receivables Facility); plus
(2) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and such Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less
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(3) interest income of such Person and such Subsidiaries for such period.
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Issuers to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication,
(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Transactions), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,
(2) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period, including changes from international financial reporting standards to United States financial reporting standards,
(3) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded,
(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, shall be excluded,
(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to such Person or a Subsidiary thereof that is a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such period,
(6) effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries) in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,
(7) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,
(8) any impairment charge or asset write-off, in each case, pursuant to GAAP and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,
(9) any non-cash compensation expense recorded from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights shall be excluded, and
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(10) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with the Transactions and any acquisition, Investment, asset sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded.
Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio means, as of the date of determination, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Indebtedness of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries on such date that is secured by Liens other than Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Liens less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the balance sheet of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries and held by the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, as determined in accordance with GAAP, to (b) EBITDA of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such date for which internal financial statements are available.
In the event that a Covenant Party or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than, for purposes of calculating EBITDA only, Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio is made (the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio Calculation Date), then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and other operational changes that a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with GAAP assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, discontinued operation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, notwithstanding any classification under GAAP as discontinued operations of any Person, property, business or asset, the Issuers may elect to include for any purpose under this Indenture the EBITDA attributable to any such sold entity or business for any period until such sale, transfer or other disposition shall have been consummated.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of an Issuer. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Consolidated Secured Debt
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Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable determination of the Issuers as set forth in an Officers Certificate, to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from any acquisition, amalgamation, merger, operational change or other transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the aggregate amount of projected operating expense reductions, operating improvements, cost savings and synergies included in any such pro forma calculation shall not exceed $125.0 million for any four consecutive quarter period (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma adjustments made pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph).
For the purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve-month period immediately prior to the date of determination determined in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.
Contingent Obligations means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (primary obligations) of any other Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,
(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,
(2) to advance or supply funds
(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or
(b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or
(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Issuers.
Covenant Parties means each of Nielsen HF, VNU International B.V., and the Issuers.
Credit Facilities means, with respect to a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.
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Custodian means DBTCA, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
DBTCA means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas.
Default means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
Definitive Note means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto.
Depositary means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
Derivative Instrument with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Persons investment in the Notes (other than a Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Performance References.
Disposition or Dispose means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction and any sale or issuance of Equity Interests) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith; provided that Disposition and Dispose shall not be deemed to include (a) any issuance by Nielsen HF of any of its Equity Interests to another Person or (b) any non-cash sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the Transactions Intercompany Obligations.
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Covenant Parties or their respective Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of a Covenant Party that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
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EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
(1) increased (without duplication) by:
(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person and such Subsidiaries paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(b) Fixed Charges of such Person and such Subsidiaries for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges) to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person and such Subsidiaries for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the applicable indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the 4.500% Senior Notes and the Credit Facilities, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes and the 4.500% Senior Notes, and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income and (iii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Receivables Facility; plus
(e) the amount of any business optimization expense and restructuring charge or reserve deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any restructuring costs incurred in connection with acquisitions after August 9, 2006, costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities, retention charges, systems establishment costs and excess pension charges; plus
(f) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus
(g) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus
(h) the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Facility; plus
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(i) any costs or expense incurred by such Person or any such Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of an Issuer or a Restricted Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of an Issuer or Restricted Guarantor (other than Disqualified Stock);
(2) decreased by (without duplication) (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and such Subsidiaries for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period; and
(3) increased or decreased by (without duplication):
(a) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and International Accounting Standards No. 39 and their respective related pronouncements and interpretations; plus or minus, as applicable,
(b) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency re-measurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).
EMU means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
Equity Offering means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of Nielsen HF or of a direct or indirect parent entity of Nielsen HF (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:
(1) public offerings with respect to any such Persons common stock registered on Form S-8; and
(2) issuances to a Covenant Party or any Subsidiary of a Covenant Party.
Euroclear means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Existing Senior Notes means the 5.000% Lux Senior Notes, the 5.625% Senior Notes and the 5.875% Senior Notes.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries for such period; plus
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(2) all cash dividends or other distributions paid to any Person other than such Person or any such Subsidiary (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock of a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period; plus
(3) all cash dividends or other distributions paid to any Person other than such Person or any such Subsidiary (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock of a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period.
Foreign Parent means Parent, Valcon Acquisition B.V., The Nielsen Company B.V. and any other direct or indirect parent entity of a Covenant Party that is a Subsidiary of Parent.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
Funded Debt means any Indebtedness for money borrowed, created, issued, incurred, assumed or guaranteed that would, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, be classified as long-term debt, but in any event including all Indebtedness for money borrowed, whether secured or unsecured, maturing more than one year, or extendible at the option of the obligor to a date more than one year, after the date of determination thereof (excluding any amount thereof included in current liabilities).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect from time to time; provided, however, that if the Issuers notify the Trustee that the Issuers request an amendment to any provision of this Indenture to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Issue Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision, regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance with this definition.
Global Note Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
Global Notes means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b) or 2.06(d) hereof.
Government Securities means securities that are:
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or
(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,
which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
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Grand-Ducal Regulation shall mean the Grand Ducal Regulation dated 18 December 2015 setting out the form and content of the presentation of the balance sheet and profit and loss account, enforcing the Luxembourg law of 19 December 2002 on the commercial companies register and the accounting and annual accounts of undertakings, as amended.
guarantee means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
Guarantee means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Notes and the Issuers Obligations under this Indenture.
Guarantor means each Person that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture until such Person is released from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
Holder means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrars books.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(1) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(a) in respect of borrowed money;
(b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(c) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (i) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business; or
(d) representing any Hedging Obligations;
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if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) above of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and
(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) above of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (b) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities, and (c) any intercompany indebtedness (including intercompany indebtedness to a Foreign Parent) having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any rollover or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
Indenture means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Indirect Participant means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
Initial Notes has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
Initial Purchasers means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Capital One Securities, Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., ICBC Standard Bank Plc, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC.
Interest Payment Date means January 15 and July 15 of each year to stated maturity.
Intra-Group Liabilities shall mean, in relation to a Luxembourg Guarantor, any amounts owed by it to any other member of the group to which that Luxembourg Guarantor belongs and that have not been financed under this Indenture.
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moodys and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
Investments means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property.
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Issue Date means May 28, 2021.
Issuer Order means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuers by an Officer of each of the Issuers, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.
Issuers has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Legal Holiday means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
Limited Condition Transaction means (a) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Equity Interests or otherwise), whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing, (b) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment and (c) any repurchase of Equity Interests, dividend of other distribution requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof.
Long Derivative Instrument means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
Net Income means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries that are Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
Net Short means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of the (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Issuers or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.
Nielsen HF means Nielsen Holding and Finance B.V. and any successor thereto.
Non-U.S. Person means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
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Notes means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term Notes shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture.
Obligations means any principal (including any accretion), interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal (including any accretion), interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
Offering Memorandum means the offering memorandum, dated May 24, 2021, relating to the Notes and the 4.500% Senior Notes.
Officer means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuers.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by an Officer of each of the Issuers, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of each such Issuer, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuers.
Parent means Nielsen Holdings plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and any successor thereto.
Participant means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
Performance References means each of the Issuers and/or any one or more of the Guarantors.
Permitted Holders means (i) any Foreign Parent and (ii) any other direct or indirect parent entity of Nielsen HF (other than a Person formed in connection with, or in contemplation of, a Change of Control transaction, merger, sale or other transfer of Equity Interests or assets of Nielsen HF that results in a modification of the beneficial ownership of Nielsen HF), provided that the ultimate beneficial ownership of Nielsen HF has not been modified by the transaction by which such parent entity became the beneficial owner of 100% of the Capital Stock of Nielsen HF.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:
(1) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $850 million;
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(2) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmens compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(3) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemens and mechanics Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(4) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(5) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;
(6) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(7) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets; provided that (i) such Liens are created within 270 days of the acquisition, lease or improvement of the property subject to such Liens, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber property (except for accessions to such property) other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and the proceeds thereof and (iii) with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions to such assets) other than the assets subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligations and the proceeds thereof; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;
(8) Liens securing Indebtedness of any Restricted Guarantor that is a Foreign Subsidiary incurred not to exceed at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness secured under this clause (8) 5.0% of Total Foreign Subsidiary Assets (it being understood that any Indebtedness secured pursuant to this clause (8) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (8) but shall be deemed incurred under the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio Exception from and after the first date on which such Foreign Subsidiary could have secured such Indebtedness);
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(9) Liens existing on the Issue Date; provided that Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be deemed incurred pursuant to clause (1) of this definition;
(10) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(11) Liens on property at the time a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(12) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to a Covenant Party or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(13) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as, in the case of Hedging Obligations related to interest, the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;
(14) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(15) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;
(16) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(17) Liens in favor of an Issuer or any Restricted Guarantor;
(18) Liens on equipment of a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business;
(19) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;
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(20) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (9), (10) and (11); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (9), (10) and (11) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(21) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;
(22) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed the greater of 1.0% of Total Assets or $125.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(23) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (5) under Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;
(24) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(25) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;
(26) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;
(27) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; and
(28) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
For purposes of this definition, the term Indebtedness shall be deemed to include interest on and the costs in respect of such Indebtedness.
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For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Liens, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated (other than with respect to clause (1) and clause (20) (with respect to any refinancing, refunding, extension renewal or replacement of any Indebtedness secured by a lien referenced to in clause (9) of this definition of Permitted Liens) of this definition of Permitted Liens) based on the relevant currency exchange rate on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.
The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect (i) with respect to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Liens, on the Issue Date, and (ii) otherwise, on the date of such refinancing.
Person means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Preferred Stock means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.
Principal Property means any asset having a fair market value in excess of $100 million.
Private Placement Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
QIB means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A.
Rating Agencies means Moodys and S&P or if Moodys or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or organizations (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act), as the case may be, selected by the Issuers which shall be substituted for Moodys or S&P or both, as the case may be.
Receivables Facility means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Covenant Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries sells their accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.
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Receivables Subsidiary means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Receivables Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.
Record Date for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means January 1 and July 1 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Regulation S means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
Regulation S Global Note means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903.
Responsible Officer means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Persons knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
Restricted Cash means cash and Cash Equivalents held by Restricted Subsidiaries that is contractually restricted from being distributed to the Covenant Parties, except for such restrictions that are contained in agreements governing Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture and that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.
Restricted Definitive Note means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Global Note means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Guarantor means a Guarantor that is a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary.
Restricted Period means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.
Restricted Subsidiary means, at any time, each direct and indirect Subsidiary of a Covenant Party (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not an Issuer or that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of Restricted Subsidiary.
Revolving Credit Facility has the meaning set forth in the definition of Senior Credit Facilities.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 903 means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
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Rule 904 means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
S&P means S&Ps Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means any arrangement providing for the leasing by a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Covenant Party or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.
Screened Affiliate means any Affiliate of a Holder (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Issuers or their Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holders in connection with its investment in the Notes.
SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Senior Credit Facilities means, collectively, (i) the revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and the other credit facilities under the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2020 by and among Nielsen Finance LLC, TNC (US) Holdings Inc., Nielsen HF, the Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and (ii) [reserved], and (iii) any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings (including successive amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings) thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof.
Short Derivative Instrument means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.
Significant Party means any Guarantor or Restricted Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act.
Similar Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.
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Subordinated Indebtedness means,
(1) any Indebtedness of the Issuers which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and
(2) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and
(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which
(x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and
(y) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
Total Assets means, the total assets of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries (which calculation shall give pro forma effect to any acquisition or asset sale by the Covenant Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, in each case involving the payment or receipt by the Covenant Parties or any of their Subsidiaries of consideration (whether in the form of cash or non-cash consideration) in excess of $50.0 million that has occurred since the date of such consolidated balance sheet, as if such acquisition or asset sale had occurred on the last day of the fiscal period covered by such balance sheet).
Total Foreign Subsidiary Assets means, the total assets of the Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, calculated pursuant to the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries (which calculation shall give pro forma effect to any acquisition or asset sale by such Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries, in each case involving the payment or receipt by such Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries of consideration (whether in the form of cash or non-cash consideration) in excess of $50.0 million that has occurred since the date of such consolidated balance sheet, as if such acquisition or asset sale had occurred on the last day of the fiscal period covered by such balance sheet).
Transactions means the transactions described in the Offering Memorandum.
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Transactions Intercompany Obligations means any intercompany loan made by a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary to The Nielsen Company B.V. or any direct or indirect parent of Nielsen HF outstanding on the Issue Date.
Treasury Rate means, as of the date of the relevant redemption notice (the Redemption Notice Date), the weekly average for each Business Day during the most recent week that has ended at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Notice Date of the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Notice Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or, for the avoidance of doubt, information with respect to the relevant securities is no longer included therein), any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Issuers in good faith)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Notice Date to July 15, 2026; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Notice Date to July 15, 2026, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).
Trustee means DBTCA, as trustee, unless and until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
Unrestricted Definitive Note means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
Unrestricted Global Note means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means:
(1) any Subsidiary of a Covenant Party which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuers, as provided below); and
(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Issuers may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of a Covenant Party (including any existing Restricted Subsidiary or any newly acquired or newly formed Restricted Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Restricted Subsidiary or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, a Covenant Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Covenant Party (other than solely any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that
(1) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by a Covenant Party; and
(2) each of:
(a) the Restricted Subsidiary to be so designated; and
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(b) its Subsidiaries
has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of any Covenant Party or any Restricted Subsidiary.
Any such designation by the Issuers shall be notified by the Issuers to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Issuers or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officers Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
U.S. Dollar Equivalent means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters at approximately 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on such date of determination (or if no such quote is available on such date, on the immediately preceding Business Day for which such a quote is available).
U.S. Person means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Term | Defined in Section | |||
Additional Amounts | 2.15 | |||
Authentication Order | 2.02 | |||
Base Currency | 12.17 | |||
Business Unit Disposition | 3.07 | |||
Change of Control Offer | 4.14 | |||
Change of Control Payment | 4.14 | |||
Change of Control Payment Date | 4.14 | |||
Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio Exception | 4.12 | |||
Covenant Defeasance | 8.03 | |||
Directing Holder | 6.01 | |||
DTC | 2.03 | |||
Event of Default | 6.01 | |||
Judgment Currency | 12.17 | |||
LCT Election | 1.06 | |||
LCT Test Date | 1.06 | |||
Legal Defeasance | 8.02 | |||
Luxembourg Guarantor | 10.07 | |||
Note Register | 2.03 | |||
Noteholder Direction | 6.01 |
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Term | Defined in Section | |||
Paying Agent | 2.03 | |||
Position Representation | 6.01 | |||
Prohibition | 10.07 | |||
Redemption Date | 3.07 | |||
Registrar | 2.03 | |||
Signature Law | 12.14 | |||
Subject Lien | 4.12 | |||
Successor Company | 5.01 | |||
Successor Person | 5.01 | |||
Swiss Guarantor | 10.07 | |||
Tax Redemption Date | 3.09 | |||
Taxes | 2.15 | |||
Taxing Jurisdiction | 2.15 | |||
Verification Covenant | 6.01 |
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
obligor on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) or is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(e) will shall be interpreted to express a command;
(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
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(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(h) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an Article, Section or clause refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(i) the words herein, hereof and hereunder and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision.
Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuers in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(e) The Issuers may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.
(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.
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(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including the Depositary, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and the Depositary as the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositarys standing instructions and customary practices.
(h) The Issuers may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by the Depositary entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.
Section 1.06 Limited Condition Transactions.
When calculating the availability under any basket or ratio under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence of Liens, repayments, dividends and Dispositions or distributions), in each case, at the option of the Issuers (the Issuers election to exercise such option, an LCT Election), the date of determination for availability under any such basket or ratio and whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the LCT Test Date) either (a) that the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an irrevocable notice, declaration of a dividend or distribution or similar event), (b) solely in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers applies, the date on which a Rule 2.7 announcement of a firm intention to make an offer is published on a regulatory information service in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or that equivalent notice under equivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction is made), (c) that notice is given with respect to any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment or (d) that notice is given with respect to any dividend or other distribution requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof and, in each case, if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence of Liens, repayments, dividends or other distributions and Dispositions) and any related pro forma adjustments, the Issuers, Nielsen HF, any other Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have
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been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (in the case of Liens, for example, whether such Liens are to secure Indebtedness that is committed, issued or incurred at the LCT Test Date or at any time thereafter); provided that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Issuers may elect, in their sole discretion, to redetermine all such ratios, tests or baskets on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such ratios, tests or baskets and (b) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (a), compliance with such ratios, tests or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence of Liens, repayments, dividends or distributions and Dispositions).
For the avoidance of doubt, if the Issuers have made an LCT Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in EBITDA or Total Assets of Nielsen HF or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations; (2) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default), such requirements and conditions will not be deemed to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing); and (3) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially as set forth in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the
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aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof, or in accordance with instructions given by the Issuers, as applicable.
(c) [Reserved.]
(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.
Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuers without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and treated as a single class with the Initial Notes for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.
(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking and Customer Handbook of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
At least one Officer of each of the Issuers shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order (an Authentication Order), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued hereunder.
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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, the State of New York, where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (Registrar) and (ii) an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, the State of New York, where Notes may be presented for payment (the Paying Agent). The Registrar shall maintain a register of the Notes (Note Register) and of their transfer and exchange and will make payments on and facilitate transfer of Notes on behalf of the Issuers. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term Registrar includes any co-registrar. The term Paying Agent includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuers initially appoint DBTCA as (i) Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes and (ii) the Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Issuers may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Covenant Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. All Agents appointed under this Indenture shall be appointed pursuant to agency agreements among the Issuers, the Trustee and the Agent, as applicable.
The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (DTC) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than a Covenant Party or one of their respective Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If a Covenant Party or one of their respective Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to a Covenant Party, DBTCA shall serve as Paying Agent.
Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee at least two (2) Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes.
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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor. A beneficial interest in a Global Note shall be exchangeable for a Definitive Note if (x) the Depositary notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note, (y) the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days, or (z) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in clauses (x) or (y) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in clauses (x) or (y) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes pursuant to this clause (b). Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraphs (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing such Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in
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accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing such Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1). Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(B) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv).
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Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be exchanged only for Definitive Notes pursuant to this clause (c).
(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(b) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Covenant Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) [Reserved.]
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(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(b) hereof and if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(B) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(b) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests. Restricted Definitive Notes shall be exchanged only for beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes pursuant to this clause (d).
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
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(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) [Reserved].
(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(B) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
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(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holders compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Definitive Notes shall be exchanged only for Definitive Notes pursuant to this clause (e). Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(B) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
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and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) [Reserved].
(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
(i) Private Placement Legend.
(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD THEN IMPOSED BY RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION) IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
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IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUEST) OTHER THAN RULE 144, OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS OFFSHORE TRANSACTION, UNITED STATES AND U.S. PERSON HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144 WILL NOT BE PERMITTED EVEN IF SUCH EXEMPTION IS OTHERWISE AVAILABLE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144A FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (DTC) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrars request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 4.14 and 9.05 hereof).
(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Issuers shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.
(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
None of the Trustee or Agents shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note, any agent member or other member of, or a participant in, the Depositary or other person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or any nominee or participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any agent member or other participant, member, beneficial owner or other person (other than the Depositary) of any notice or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary, subject to its applicable rules and procedures. The Trustee and Agents may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its agent members and other members, participants and any beneficial owners.
Neither the Trustee nor the Agents shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or Indirect Participants in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustees requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
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Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than a Covenant Party, a Subsidiary of a Covenant Party or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers, or by any Affiliate of the Issuers, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgees right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of an Issuer or of such other obligor.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) in accordance with its customary procedures. Certification of the disposition of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuers upon their written request. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders of Notes on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee (and the applicable Paying Agent) in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such special record date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, to each Holder a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.
Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers.
The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
Section 2.14 Calculation of Principal Amount of Securities.
The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes outstanding at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the Holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the Holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.08 and Section 2.09 of this Indenture. Any such calculation made pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be made by the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers Certificate.
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Section 2.15 Additional Amounts.
Unless required by law, each Issuer and each Guarantor shall pay all amounts of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Notes, without deduction or withholding for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, assessments or other governmental charges (including any penalties, interest and additions to tax related thereto) (Taxes) imposed by any jurisdiction where any Issuer or Guarantor (or any successor thereto) is, at the relevant time, organized, resident or doing business for tax purposes, or any jurisdiction from or through which any Issuer or Guarantor makes any payment on the Notes, as the case may be (each, a Taxing Jurisdiction). If deduction or withholding of any of these charges by any applicable withholding agent is required by a Taxing Jurisdiction, the applicable Issuer or the applicable Guarantor, as the case may be, subject to the exceptions listed below, will pay any additional amounts (the Additional Amounts) necessary to make the net amount paid to the affected beneficial owners equal the amount the beneficial owners would have received in the absence of the deduction or withholding (including any deduction or withholding attributable to the additional amounts). However, these Additional Amounts shall not be paid on account of:
(1) the amount of any Tax imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
(2) the amount of any Tax imposed by any government of any jurisdiction other than a Taxing Jurisdiction;
(3) the amount of any Tax that is only payable because either (A) a present or former connection exists between the Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes and a Taxing Jurisdiction other than a connection resulting from the purchase, ownership or disposition of such Notes (including the enforcement of rights thereunder or the receipt of payments in respect thereof), or (B) the Holder or beneficial owner presented the Notes for payment more than 30 days after the date on which the relevant payment became due or was provided for, whichever is later;
(4) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, excise, value added, personal property or similar Tax;
(5) the amount of any Tax that is not required to be deducted or withheld by an applicable withholding agent from any payment by the applicable Issuer or the applicable Guarantor, as the case may be, on the Notes;
(6) the amount of any Tax that is imposed or withheld due to the Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes failing to accurately comply with a request from the applicable Issuer or the applicable Guarantor (or any successor thereto), as the case may be, either to provide information concerning the Holders or beneficial owners nationality, residence or identity or to satisfy any information or reporting requirement, in each case, to the extent the Holder or beneficial owner is legally eligible to do so, or to present the relevant Note (if certificated) if such action is required by the Taxing Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from, or reduction in, the applicable Tax;
(7) any tax imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as of the Issue Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof, or any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction implementing the foregoing or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement; or
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(8) any combination of Taxes described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) above.
Additionally, no Additional Amounts shall be paid with respect to any payment to any Holder who is a fiduciary or a partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Notes to the extent that the beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary, the member of such partnership or the beneficial owner of such Notes would not have been entitled to Additional Amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner held such Notes directly. It is understood that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if a payment of Additional Amounts is due or to calculate any such amounts. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of amounts based upon the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Notes or of any other amount payable under or with respect to the Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 2.15 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.15 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
The obligation to pay Additional Amounts under the terms and conditions described in this Section 2.15 will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture.
Section 2.16 Computation of Interest.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five (5) Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to the applicable Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee) hereof but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to may be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased (a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or (c) by lot or by such other method acceptable to the Trustee and in accordance with the Depositarys procedures. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.
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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000 shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, the Issuers shall, deliver electronically or cause to be delivered electronically, in accordance with the Depositarys procedures in the case of Global Notes, or mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at such Holders registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, notices of redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at the Issuers discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering, Business Unit Disposition, or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering, other offering, Business Unit Disposition, or other corporate transaction or event may be given prior to the completion thereof.
The notice shall identify the Notes (and the CUSIP number(s), if any) to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note;
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
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(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(i) any condition to such redemption.
At the Issuers request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers names and at their expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price (except as provided for in Sections 3.03(i) or 3.07(c) hereof). The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
(a) With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
(b) If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes, called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, upon cancellation of the original Note the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased or, in the case of Global Notes, the Issuers shall instruct the Trustee or the Paying Agent to make an adjustment on its
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books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect a decrease in the aggregate principal amount of such Global Note; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officers Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to July 15, 2026, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior notice delivered electronically, in accordance with the Depositarys procedures in the case of Global Notes or mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption (the Redemption Date) and, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.
(b) On and after July 15, 2026, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15 of each of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage | |||
2026 | 102.375 | % | ||
2027 | 101.583 | % | ||
2028 | 100.792 | % | ||
2029 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
(c) At any time (which may be more than once) prior to July 15, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 104.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, with the net cash proceeds of (a) one or more Equity Offerings and/or (b) one or more sales of a business unit of Parent (Business Unit Disposition), in each case to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary of Parent; provided that at least 60% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering or such Business Unit Disposition. Notice of any optional redemption, including upon any Equity Offering or Business Unit Disposition, may be given prior to the redemption thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering or Business Unit Disposition, if applicable. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the notice of such redemption shall state that, in the Issuers discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date so delayed.
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(d) Except pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 3.07 and Section 3.09, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers option prior to maturity.
(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.
The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
Section 3.09 Redemption for Taxation Reasons.
The Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at their discretion at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed by the Issuers for redemption (a Tax Redemption Date) and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise (subject to the right of Holders of such Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date and Additional Amounts (if any) in respect thereof), if either Issuer or any Guarantor, on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, would be required to pay Additional Amounts as a result of:
(a) any change in, or amendment to, the laws or treaties (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation which change or amendment is publicly announced and becomes effective after the date of this Indenture (or, if the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction did not become a Taxing Jurisdiction until after the date of this Indenture, after such later date); or
(b) any change in, or amendment to, the official position regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings (including a change or amendment resulting from a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published practice), which change or amendment is publicly announced and becomes effective after the date of this Indenture (or, if the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction did not become a Taxing Jurisdiction until after the date of this Indenture, after such later date), and, in each case, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, cannot avoid any obligation to pay Additional Amounts by taking reasonable measures available to it; provided that, in the case of Additional Amounts required to be paid by a Guarantor, no redemption shall be permitted under this Section 3.09 to the extent either Issuer can make the relevant payments in respect of the Notes without the obligation to pay Additional Amounts.
The Issuers will not give any such notice of redemption earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which either Issuer or the applicable Guarantor would be obligated to make such payment or withholding if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due. Prior to the publication or, where relevant, mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Issuers will deliver the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel of recognized standing to the effect that there has been such change or amendment which would require the payment of such Additional Amounts with respect to the Notes and (ii) an Officers Certificate to the effect that the Issuers or the applicable Guarantors, as the case may be, cannot avoid the obligation to pay Additional Amounts with respect to the Notes by taking reasonable measures available to it.
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The Trustee shall accept, and be entitled to rely on, such Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, in which event the satisfaction of such conditions precedent will be conclusive and binding on all Holders.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.
The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary, holds as of 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Issuers shall maintain the office or agency required under Section 2.03 where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligation to maintain an office or agency required under Section 2.03. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuers hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.
(a) Notwithstanding that the Covenant Parties may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Nielsen HF shall file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders of the Notes (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after Nielsen HF files them with the SEC) from and after the Issue Date,
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(1) within the time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act with respect to the filing of a Form 10-K by a non-accelerated filer, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, containing the information required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;
(2) within the time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act with respect to the filing of a Form 10-Q by a non-accelerated filer, for each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q containing all quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form;
(3) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports on Form 8-K, or any successor or comparable form; and
(4) any other information, documents and other reports which the Issuers would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that Nielsen HF shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Nielsen HF shall make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, in each case within 15 days after the time the Issuers would be required to file such information with the SEC, if it were subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, further, that, with respect to the quarter with respect to which the Issuers notify the Trustee in writing that a Foreign Parent intends to switch the currency in which its financial statements are reported, Nielsen HF shall not be required to make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes or provide such information to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes until 90 days after the end of such quarter. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Covenant Parties have agreed that, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, they shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Covenant Parties shall not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K.
(b) If Parent or any other direct or indirect parent company of Nielsen HF is a Guarantor of the Notes, the Covenant Parties may satisfy their obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Covenant Parties by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.
(c) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers Certificates). The Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine if Nielsen HF, Parent or any other direct or indirect parent company of Nielsen HF has filed any information with the SEC.
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Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, treasurer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).
(b) Within ten (10) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default that has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee by electronic mail, registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officers Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Taxes.
The Issuers shall pay, and shall cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Issuers and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
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Section 4.07 [Reserved].
Section 4.08 [Reserved].
Section 4.09 [Reserved].
Section 4.10 [Reserved].
Section 4.11 [Reserved].
Section 4.12 Liens.
The Covenant Parties shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any Principal Property (each, a Subject Lien) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of the Issuers or any Restricted Guarantor, unless:
(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such Principal Property that is senior in priority to such Liens; or
(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are secured equally and ratably with or prior to such Liens.
The foregoing shall not apply to (A) Liens securing the Notes (including any Additional Notes) and the related Guarantees and (B) Liens incurred to secure Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Obligations permitted under this subclause (B), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.25 to 1.00 (this clause (B), the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio Exception).
Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes. In addition, in the event that a Subject Lien is or becomes a Permitted Lien, the Issuers may, at their option and without consent from any Holder, elect to release and discharge any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders to this Section 4.12 in respect of such Subject Lien.
Section 4.13 Corporate Existence.
The Issuers shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) their corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuers or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any transaction permitted under Article 5 hereof and the Issuers shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuers in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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Section 4.14 Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control.
(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or substantially concurrently mailed or delivered, or otherwise sent through electronic transmission if held by any Depositary a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the Change of Control Offer) at a price in cash (the Change of Control Payment) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically if held by the Depositary or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee and each Agent, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, with the following information:
(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14, and that all Notes properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;
(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the Change of Control Payment Date);
(3) that any Note not properly tendered or properly tendered and properly withdrawn will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(4) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled Option of Holder to Elect Purchase on the reverse of such Notes completed, or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date of the Change of Control notice, an electronic transmission (including in PDF), a facsimile transmission or letter or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;
(7) that if the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Notes, the Holders of the remaining Notes will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to a minimum of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, in each case in principal amount; and
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(8) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow.
The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed or delivered in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holders failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue thereof.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent permitted by law,
(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and not properly withdrawn; and
(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officers Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.
(c) The Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.
(d) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06 hereof.
Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Covenant Parties will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Covenant Party (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Covenant Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary), other than (x) a Guarantor or (y) a Foreign Subsidiary of a Domestic Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuers or any other Guarantor unless:
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(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor:
(a) if the Notes or such Guarantors related Guarantee are subordinated in right of payment to such Indebtedness, the Guarantee under the supplemental indenture shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiarys guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness substantially to the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to such Indebtedness; and
(b) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantors related Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or such Guarantors related Guarantee; and
(2) such Restricted Subsidiary shall within 30 days deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
provided that this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
In addition, after the Issue Date, the Issuers may elect to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor so long as such Restricted Subsidiary delivers a supplemental indenture and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee in accordance with clauses (1) and (2) of the immediately preceding paragraph.
Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.
The Covenant Parties will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property with another Person (other than with the Covenant Parties or Restricted Subsidiaries) unless either:
(1) such Covenant Party or such Restricted Subsidiary could incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the Notes; or
(2) within 120 days, such Covenant Party applies the greater of the net proceeds of the sale of the leased property or the fair value of the leased property, net of all Notes delivered under the Indenture, to the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt and/or the acquisition or construction of any Principal Property.
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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.
(a) Neither Issuer nor Nielsen HF may consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Person is the surviving Person), and Nielsen HF may not sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i) such Issuer or Nielsen HF, as applicable, is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer or Nielsen HF, as applicable) or the Person to whom such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (or, in the case of Nielsen HF, an entity organized or existing under the laws of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland or any member country of the European Union as of the Issue Date) (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Company);
(ii) the Successor Company, if other than such Issuer or Nielsen HF, as applicable, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes or Nielsen HF under its related Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;
(iv) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(ii) hereof shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Persons obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and
(v) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, winding-up, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.
(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for such Issuer or Nielsen HF, as applicable, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Guarantee and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding clause (iii) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,
(i) any Covenant Party or Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or merge with or into or wind-up into or sell, assignment transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to an Issuer or Restricted Guarantor; and
(ii) an Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of such Issuer, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reorganizing such Issuer in a State of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Covenant Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
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(c) Subject to certain limitations described in this Indenture governing release of a Guarantee thereunder upon the sale, disposition or transfer of a Guarantor, no Restricted Guarantor shall, and the Covenant Parties shall not permit any Restricted Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Restricted Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i) such Restricted Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Restricted Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Restricted Guarantor, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, any member state of the European Union as of the Issue Date or the jurisdiction of organization of any Restricted Guarantor (such Restricted Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Person);
(ii) the Successor Person, if other than such Restricted Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Restricted Guarantor under this Indenture and such Restricted Guarantors related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(iv) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.
(d) In the case of Section 5.01(c), the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Restricted Guarantor under this Indenture and such Restricted Guarantors Guarantee thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Guarantor may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Restricted Guarantor or an Issuer.
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger with or into or winding up into, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of either Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the Successor Company or Successor Person, as applicable, formed by such consolidation or into or with which an Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor is merged or wound up into or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, winding up, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to such Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor, as applicable shall refer instead to the Successor Company or Successor Person, as applicable, and not to such Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor, as the case may be), and may exercise every right and power of such Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as such Issuer, Nielsen HF or any Restricted Guarantor, as the case may be, herein. When a Successor Company or Successor Person, as applicable, assumes all obligations of its predecessor hereunder, under the Notes and the Guarantees, as applicable, such predecessor shall be released from all of its obligations hereunder, under the Notes and the Guarantees, as applicable.
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ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
(a) An Event of Default wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes;
(3) failure by the Issuers or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less 30% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;
(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by any Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by any Covenant Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to a Covenant Party or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:
(i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and
(ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate the greater of 0.75% of Total Assets or $100.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;
(5) failure by a Covenant Party or any Significant Party to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of the greater of 0.75% of Total Assets or $100.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;
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(6) the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party, in a proceeding in which the Issuers or any such Restricted Subsidiaries, that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party, is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Party or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Party;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or
(8) the Guarantee of any Significant Party shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Party, as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under such Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.
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(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:
(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or
(2) the requisite holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or
(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.
(c) Any notice of Default, notice of acceleration or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, notice of acceleration or take any other action (a Noteholder Direction) provided by any one or more Holders (each a Directing Holder) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Directing Holder delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee that such Directing Holder is not (or, in the case such Directing Holder is a Depositary or its nominee, that such Directing Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that have represented to such Holder that they are not) Net Short (a Position Representation), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to the delivery of a notice of Default shall be deemed a continuing representation until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder is deemed, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, to covenant to provide the Issuers with such other information as the Issuers may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Directing Holders Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a Verification Covenant). In any case in which the Holder is a Depositary or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owners of the Notes in lieu of such Depositary or its nominee, and such Depositary shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers determine in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provide to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that the Issuers have initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers provide to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation shall result in such Holders participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio (other than any indemnity such Directing Holder may have offered the Trustee), with the effect that such Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, acceleration voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default.
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For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any Noteholder Direction delivered to it in accordance with this Indenture, shall have no duty to inquire as to or investigate the accuracy of any Position Representation, enforce compliance with any Verification Covenant, verify any statements in any Officers Certificate delivered to it, or otherwise make calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to Derivative Instruments, Net Shorts, Long Derivative Instruments, Short Derivative Instruments or otherwise. The Trustee shall have no liability to the Issuers, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction.
The Trustee shall, within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of any Default (which the Trustee is deemed to have knowledge of pursuant to this Indenture) with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
(a) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, that no such declaration may occur with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to Holders, more than two years prior to the date of such declaration; provided, however, that so long as any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture as part of the Senior Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, no such acceleration shall be effective until the earlier of:
(1) acceleration of any such Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities; or
(2) five (5) Business Days after the giving of written notice of such acceleration to the Issuers and the administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facilities.
Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest, or premium, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
The Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if and so long as a committee of Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that acceleration is not in the best interest of the Holders of the Notes.
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Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer); provided, subject to Section 6.02 hereof, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
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(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount at maturity of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
Except as provided in Section 6.01(c), no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
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Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.13 Priorities.
If the Trustee or any Agent (if the Agent shall receive any such funds, it shall remit them promptly to the Trustee) collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
(i) to the Trustee, the Agents, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or any Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;
(ii) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
(iii) to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.13.
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Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such persons own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of gross negligence on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
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(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers Certificates or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of each Issuer.
(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.
(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
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(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, including DBTCA, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04 Trustees Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to each Issuer.
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Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustees compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustees agents and counsel.
The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuers or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustees own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(6) or (7) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustees acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
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(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers expense), the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). For purposes of this Indenture, the Trustee will be deemed to be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).
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Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.
The Trustee shall be deemed to be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) on the same basis as if this Indenture were required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be deemed to be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Issuers exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (Legal Defeasance). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(b) the Issuers obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) this Section 8.02.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 8.03 hereof.
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Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Issuers exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a), Sections 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (Covenant Defeasance), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Parties), 6.01(7) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Parties) and 6.01(8) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:
(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the case of a combination of cash and Government Securities, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the redemption date, as the case may be, of such principal amount, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,
(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
(b) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,
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in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and substantially simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes, the 4.500% Senior Notes, the indentures governing the Existing Senior Notes, the indenture governing the 4.500% Senior Notes or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, each Issuer or any Restricted Guarantor is a party or by which such Issuer or any Restricted Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and substantially simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;
(7) each Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by such Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of an Issuer or any Restricted Guarantor or others; and
(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.
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Section | 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. |
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent), as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee, and the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuers.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee of Notes or this Indenture) and the Trustee may amend, supplement or provide a waiver with respect to this Indenture and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(3) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;
(4) to provide the assumption of an Issuers or any Guarantors obligations to the Holders;
(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder in any material respect;
(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon an Issuer or any Guarantor;
(7) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee or Paying Agent hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;
(9) to add a Guarantor under this Indenture;
(10) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the Description of notes section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such Description of notes section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Guarantee or Notes;
(11) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;
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(12) to secure the Notes and/or the related Guarantees thereof;
(13) to release any Guarantor from its Guarantee pursuant to this Indenture when permitted or required by this Indenture;
(14) to release and discharge any Lien securing the Notes when permitted by this Indenture (including pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof); and
(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary.
Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by resolutions of each of their boards of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, and delivery of an Officers Certificate.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be outstanding for the purposes of this Section 9.02.
Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by resolutions of each of their boards of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall, in the case of Global Notes, electronically deliver in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, or mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to, in the case of Global Notes, electronically deliver in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, or mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal amount of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (other than provisions relating to Section 4.14 hereof);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;
(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;
(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;
(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;
(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holders Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holders Notes;
(9) make any change to the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or
(10) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Party in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
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Section 9.03 [Reserved].
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. Each Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until its board of directors approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture if such supplement is in substantially the form of Exhibit D.
Section 9.07 Payment for Consent.
Neither the Issuers nor any Affiliate of either Issuer shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
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Section 9.08 Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount.
Except as provided in the proviso to the first sentence of Section 9.02, all Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and the Notes will not have the right to vote or consent as a separate series on any matter. Determinations as to whether Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article 9 and Section 2.14.
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01 Guarantee.
Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
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Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.
Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a voidable preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be an unsecured, unsubordinated obligation of such Guarantor and shall be equal in right of payment with all existing and future Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any, that is not subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and Guarantees.
Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantors pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
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Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery.
To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its president, one of its vice presidents, one of its managers, one of its members, one of its general partners, one of its executives, or its corporate treasurer or controller corporate staff.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuers shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04 Subrogation.
Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged.
Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
Section 10.06 Release of Guarantees.
A Guarantee by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantors Guarantee, upon:
(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (other than Nielsen HF) (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or a Subsidiary of a Guarantor or all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor (other than Nielsen HF) which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture;
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(B) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor (other than Nielsen HF) of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the requirement to provide such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;
(C) the designation in compliance with the terms of this Indenture of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor (other than Nielsen HF) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(D) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the Issuers obligations under this Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(E) in the case of a Foreign Parent, the merger of such entity into, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of such entity to, another Foreign Parent; or
(F) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that become a Guarantor pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 4.15, upon notice to the Trustee (unless otherwise provided in the applicable supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor) or in any other circumstance described in the applicable supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor; and
(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 10.07 Certain Dutch, Irish, Luxembourg and Swiss Matters.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any obligation, guarantee, undertaking or security granted or assumed by a Person incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands, the laws of Ireland, or the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (a Luxembourg Guarantor) pursuant to this Indenture or any other document in relation therewith shall be deemed not to be undertaken or incurred by such Person to the extent that the same would constitute unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of Section 2.207(c) or 2.98(c) of the Dutch Civil Code, Section 60 of the Irish Companies Act 1963 (as amended) or articles 430-19 and 1500-7 of the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1015 on commercial companies, as amended, or any other applicable financial assistance rules under any relevant jurisdiction (the Prohibition) and the provisions of this Indenture and the other documents to be entered into in connection with Notes and the Guarantee shall be construed accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt it is expressly acknowledged that the relevant Persons incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, the laws of Ireland or the Laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will continue to guarantee and secure all such obligations which, if included, do not constitute a violation of the Prohibition.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the fulfilment of any guarantee, indemnity, subordination or similar obligation (including any Guarantee) of, and the application of proceeds from the enforcement of any security interest granted by, any Guarantor that is organized under the laws of Switzerland (a Swiss Guarantor) to satisfy obligations of the Issuers or of any other Guarantor (other than obligations of any of such Swiss Guarantors wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiaries) shall, if the fulfillment of such obligation or the application of such proceeds would under applicable Swiss law not be permitted at such time, be limited to the maximum amount permitted by applicable Swiss law at the time of fulfilment or enforcement (as the case may be).
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or any other notes document in relation therewith, the aggregate amount payable by a Luxembourg Guarantor under this Indenture or any other notes document in relation therewith for the obligations of any other Guarantor which is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of such Luxembourg Guarantor or for the obligations of the applicable Issuer shall, together with any similar guarantee obligations (garanties personnelles) thereunder, be limited at any time to an:
(a) (i) any amounts made available under this Indenture or any other notes document in relation therewith, to such Luxembourg Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries; plus
(ii) ninety-five percent (95%) of such Luxembourg Guarantors capitaux propres (as referred to in Annex I to the Grand Ducal Regulation and its Intra-Group Liabilities (to the extent not yet accounted for above under (a)(i) and without double counting), as reflected in its last annual accounts (approved by a shareholders meeting) available on the date a payment is made under this Indenture; and
(b) (i) any amounts made available under this Indenture or any other notes document in relation therewith, to such Luxembourg Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries; plus
(ii) ninety-five percent (95%) of such Luxembourg Guarantors capitaux propres (as referred to in Annex I to the Grand Ducal Regulation and its Intra-Group Liabilities (to the extent not yet accounted for above under (a)(i) and without double counting), as reflected in its last annual accounts (approved by a shareholders meeting) available as of the date of the applicable indenture.
The amounts due by each Luxembourg Guarantor under the present Article shall be reduced by any amount paid by such Luxembourg Guarantor under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes and the 4.500% Senior Notes.
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:
(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(2) (A) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption and redeemed within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and an Issuer or any Guarantor have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
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(B) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and substantially simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the indentures governing the Existing Senior Notes, the indenture governing the 4.500% Senior Notes or any other material agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness (other than this Indenture) to which an Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which an Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and substantially simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(C) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by them under this Indenture; and
(D) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A) of clause (2) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive.
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as their own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers and any Guarantors obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 [Reserved].
Section 12.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by any Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any Paying Agent to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered electronically, in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight delivery service guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others address:
If to any Issuer and/or any Guarantor:
Nielsen Finance LLC
Nielsen Finance Co.
c/o Nielsen Holdings plc
675 6th Avenue New York,
New York 10010
Fax No.: 646 ###-###-####
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Trustee:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust and Agency Services
60 Wall Street, 24th Floor
MS: NYC60-2405
New York, NY 10005
Fax No.: (732) 578-4635
Attention: Corporates Team/Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Deal ID: SF5297
Each Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any Paying Agent, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: on the date which publication is made, if given by publication; at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight delivery service guaranteeing next day delivery; and when sent, if delivered electronically; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.
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Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight delivery service guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar or given in accordance with the Depositarys procedures. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Issuers send a notice or communication to Holders, they shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes as if this Indenture were subject to such Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) (except for the provisions of such Section 312(b) pertaining to filings with, and hearings before, the SEC). The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall be deemed to have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture (provided, however, the below Opinion of Counsel shall not be required in connection with the authentication of the Notes on the Issue Date), the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) An Officers Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof) shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
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(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officers Certificate as to matters of fact); and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of either Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 12.08 Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 12.10 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuers or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
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Section 12.12 Successors.
All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof. All references to DBTCA in this Indenture shall include its successors and assigns.
Section 12.13 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. This Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature; (ii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, Signature Law), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.
Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 12.16 [Reserved].
Section 12.17 Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions.
(a) U.S. dollars are the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by the Issuers and the Guarantors under or in connection with the Notes, the Guarantees of the Notes or this Indenture, including damages related thereto. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than U.S. dollars by a Holder of Notes (whether as a result of, or of the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, in the winding-up or dissolution of the Issuers or otherwise) in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Issuers shall only constitute a discharge to the Issuers to the extent of the U.S. dollar, as the case may be, which the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery
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(or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so). If that U.S. dollar is less than the U.S. dollar expressed to be due to the recipient under the Notes, the Issuers shall indemnify it against any loss sustained by it as a result as set forth in Section 12.17(b). In any event, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall indemnify the recipient against the cost of making any such purchase. For the purposes of this Section 12.17, it will be sufficient for the Holder of a Note to certify in a satisfactory manner (indicating sources of information used) that it would have suffered a loss had an actual purchase of U.S. dollars been made with the amount so received in that other currency on the date of receipt or recovery (or, if a purchase of U.S. dollars on such date had not been practicable, on the first date on which it would have been practicable, it being required that the need for a change of date be certified in the manner mentioned above). The indemnities set forth in this Section 12.17 constitute separate and independent obligations from other obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by any Holder of the Notes and shall continue in full force and effect despite any other judgment, order, claim or proof for a liquidated amount in respect of any sum due under the Notes.
(b) The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture:
(1) (A) If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the Judgment Currency) an amount due in any other currency (the Base Currency), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).
(B) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Issuers and the Guarantors will pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.
(2) In the event of the winding-up of the Issuers or any Guarantor at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustee harmless against any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount due or contingently due under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture (other than under this subsection (b)(2)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (ii) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up. For the purpose of this subsection (b)(2), the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Issuers or any Guarantor shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Issuers or such Guarantor may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.
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(c) The obligations contained in subsections (a), (b)(1)(B) and (b)(2) of this Section 12.17 shall constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Issuers and the Guarantors, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustee or either of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding-up of the Issuers or any Guarantor for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under subsection (b)(2) above) or under any such judgment or order. Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustee, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuers or any Guarantor or the liquidator or otherwise or any of them. In the case of subsection (b)(2) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.
(d) The term rate(s) of exchange shall mean the rate of exchange quoted by Reuters at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) for spot purchases of the Base Currency with the Judgment Currency other than the Base Currency referred to in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) above and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable.
Section 12.18 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity.
(a) By the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Guarantors that are not incorporated or otherwise organized under the laws of any State (including the District of Columbia) of the United States (A) acknowledge that they have, by separate written instrument, designated and appointed TNC (US) Holdings, Inc. (and any successor entity) as their authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture that may be instituted in any Federal or state court in the State of New York, New York County or brought under Federal or state securities laws, and acknowledge that TNC (US) Holdings, Inc. has accepted such designation, (B) submit for themselves and their property to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding, (C) consent that any such proceeding may be brought in any such court and waives trial by jury and any objection that any of them may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such proceeding in any such court or that such proceeding was brought in any inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same, (D) agree that service of process upon TNC (US) Holdings, Inc. and written notice of said service to such Guarantors in accordance with Section 12.02 shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such Guarantors in any such suit or proceeding and (E) agree that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction.
(b) To the extent that any Guarantor may be entitled, in any jurisdiction in which judicial proceedings may at any time be commenced with respect to or arising out of this Indenture, to claim for itself or its revenues, assets or properties immunity (whether by reason of sovereignty or otherwise) from suit, from the jurisdiction of any court (including but not limited to any court of the United States of America or the State of New York), from attachment prior to judgment, from set-off, from execution of a judgment or from any other legal process, and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed such an immunity (whether or not claimed), such Guarantor hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby irrevocably waives such immunity to the extent permitted by law.
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Section 12.19 U.S.A. Patriot Act
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
[Signatures on following page]
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NIELSEN FINANCE LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer | ||
NIELSEN FINANCE CO. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
A. C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A. | ||
A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC | ||
ACN HOLDINGS INC. | ||
ACNIELSEN CORPORATION | ||
ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM | ||
ART HOLDING, L.L.C. | ||
ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION | ||
CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C. | ||
EXELATE, INC. | ||
GRACENOTE, INC. | ||
GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC | ||
GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC | ||
NETRATINGS, LLC | ||
NIELSEN AUDIO, INC. | ||
NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC | ||
NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC | ||
NMR INVESTING I, INC. | ||
THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC | ||
TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
VIZU CORPORATION | ||
VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P. | ||
A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||
BY: NMR INVESTING I, INC., ITS GENERAL PARTNER | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
VALCON ACQUISITION B.V. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
RSMG INSIGHTS COOPERATIEF U.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
THE NIELSEN COMPANY (LUXEMBOURG) S.À R.L., a private limited liability company (Société à responsabilité limitée) incorporated in Luxembourg, having its registered office at 22 Rue Jean-Pierre Brasseur, L-1258 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies under number B 155.591, as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
NIELSEN LUXEMBOURG S.À R.L., a private limited liability company (Société à responsabilité limitée) incorporated in Luxembourg, having its registered office at 22 Rue Jean-Pierre Brasseur, L-1258 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies under number B 181.101, as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
NIELSEN HOLDINGS LUXEMBOURG S.À R.L., a private limited liability company (Société à responsabilité limitée) incorporated in Luxembourg, having its registered office at 22 Rue Jean-Pierre Brasseur, L-1258 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies under number B 218.244, as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Jana Palmaccio | |
Name: Jana Palmaccio | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement and executed as a deed by Nielsen Holdings plc and is intended to be and is delivered by Nielsen Holdings plc as a deed on the date specified above.
Executed as a deed by Jennifer Meschewski as attorney for
NIELSEN HOLDINGS PLC
in the presence of:
Jennifer Meschewski as attorney for Nielsen Holdings plc: | /s/ Jennifer Meschewski | |||
Signature of witness: | ||||
Name of witness: | ||||
Address of witness: | ||||
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
By: | /s/ Bridgette Casasnovas | |
Name: Bridgette Casasnovas | ||
Title: Vice President |
By: | /s/ Robert Peschler | |
Name: Robert Peschler | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Indenture (2031 Notes)]
EXHIBIT A
[Face of Note]
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
A-1
CUSIP [ ]
ISIN [ ]2
[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE]
4.750% Senior Notes due 2031
No. ___ | [$______________] |
NIELSEN FINANCE LLC
and
NIELSEN FINANCE CO.
promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of ________________________ United States Dollars] on July 15, 2031.
Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15
Record Dates: January 1 and July 1
2 | Rule 144A Note CUSIP: 65409Q BK7 |
Rule 144A Note ISIN: US65409QBK76
Regulation S Note CUSIP: U65393 AT4
Regulation S Note ISIN: USU65393AT40
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IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: __________, 2021
NIELSEN FINANCE LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
NIELSEN FINANCE CO. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
Date of authentication: | ||
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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[Back of Note]
4.750% Senior Notes due 2031
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 4.750% per annum from January 15, 20223 until maturity. The Issuers will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an Interest Payment Date) and no further interest will accrue for such interest period solely as a result of such interest payment date initially falling on a day that is not a Business Day. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be January 15, 2022. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Covenant Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2021 (the Indenture), among Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as its 4.750% Senior Notes due 2031. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. The Notes issued as of the Issue Date and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the
3 | With respect to the Initial Notes. |
A-5
Indenture (collectively, referred to herein as the Notes) shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture, unless otherwise specified in the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) and paragraph 6 hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers option prior to maturity.
(b) At any time prior to July 15, 2026, the Issuers may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior notice delivered electronically, in accordance with the Depositarys procedures in the case of Global Notes or mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date and, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.
(c) On and after July 15, 2026, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15 of each of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage | |||
2026 | 102.375 | % | ||
2027 | 101.583 | % | ||
2028 | 100.792 | % | ||
2029 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
(d) At any time (which may be more than once) prior to July 15, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 104.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, with the net cash proceeds of (a) one or more Equity Offerings and/or (b) one or more Business Unit Dispositions, in each case to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary of Parent; provided that at least 60% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering or such Business Unit Disposition. Notice of any optional redemption, including upon any Equity Offering or Business Unit Disposition, may be given prior to the redemption thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering or Business Unit Disposition, if applicable. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the notice of such redemption shall state that, in the Issuers discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date so delayed.
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(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.
6. REDEMPTION FOR TAXATION REASONS. The Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at their discretion at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Tax Redemption Date and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise (subject to the right of Holders of such Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date and Additional Amounts (if any) in respect thereof), if either Issuer or any Guarantor, on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, would be required to pay Additional Amounts as a result of:
(a) any change in, or amendment to, the laws or treaties (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation which change or amendment is publicly announced and becomes effective after the date of this Indenture (or, if the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction did not become a Taxing Jurisdiction until after the date of this Indenture, after such later date); or
(b) any change in, or amendment to, the official position regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings (including a change or amendment resulting from a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published practice), which change or amendment is publicly announced and becomes effective after the date of this Indenture (or, if the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction did not become a Taxing Jurisdiction until after the date of this Indenture, after such later date), and, in each case, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, cannot avoid any obligation to pay Additional Amounts by taking reasonable measures available to it; provided that, in the case of Additional Amounts required to be paid by a Guarantor, no redemption shall be permitted under this paragraph 6 to the extent either Issuer can make the relevant payments in respect of the Notes without the obligation to pay Additional Amounts.
The Issuers will not give any such notice of redemption earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which either Issuer or the applicable Guarantor would be obligated to make such payment or withholding if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due. Prior to the publication or, where relevant, mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Issuers will deliver the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel of recognized standing to the effect that there has been such change or amendment which would require the payment of such Additional Amounts with respect to the Notes and (ii) an Officers Certificate to the effect that the Issuers or the applicable Guarantors, as the case may be, cannot avoid the obligation to pay Additional Amounts with respect to the Notes by taking reasonable measures available to it.
The Trustee shall accept, and be entitled to rely on, such Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, in which event the satisfaction of such conditions precedent will be conclusive and binding on all Holders.
7. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
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8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, the Issuers shall deliver electronically or cause to be delivered electronically, in accordance with the Depositarys procedures in the case of Global Notes, or mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at such Holders registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Depositarys procedures, notices of redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture. Any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at the Issuers discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering, Business Unit Disposition, or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering, other offering, Business Unit Disposition, or other corporate transaction or event may be given prior to the completion thereof. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
9. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuers shall make an offer (a Change of Control Offer) to purchase all of the Notes at a price in cash (the Change of Control Payment) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. The Change of Control Offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.
10. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Indenture and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
11. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The Person in whose name any Note is registered may be treated as its absolute owner for all purposes.
12. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented, or a waiver may be provided, as provided in the Indenture.
13. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, if any Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency), the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the
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Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture, except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within ten (10) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.
14. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee.
15. GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEES WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
16. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:
Nielsen Finance LLC
Nielsen Finance Co.
c/o Nielsen Holdings plc
675 6th Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Fax No.: 646 ###-###-####
Attention: General Counsel
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: | ||
(Insert assignee legal name) |
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
|
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code) |
and irrevocably appoint |
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him. |
Date: |
Your Signature: | ||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
Signature Guarantee*: __________________________________
* | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the box below:
[ ] Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$_______________
Date: _____________________
Your Signature: | ||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||||
Tax Identification No.: |
Signature Guarantee*: __________________________________
* | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $__________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of | Amount of decrease Amount | Amount of increase | Principal Amount of | Signatory |
* | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Nielsen Finance LLC
Nielsen Finance Co.
c/o Nielsen Holdings plc
675 6th Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Fax No.: 646 ###-###-####
Attention: General Counsel
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust and Agency Services
60 Wall Street, 24th Floor
MS: NYC60-2405
New York, NY 10005
Fax No.: 732 ###-###-####
Attention: Corporate Team/ Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Deal ID: SF5297
Re: 4.750% Senior Notes due 2031
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2021 (the Indenture), among Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
_______________ (the Transferor) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the Transfer), to _______________ (the Transferee), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof;
or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated: _______________________
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. | The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following: |
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) | [ ] a beneficial interest in the: |
(i) | [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP 65409Q BK7), or |
(ii) | [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP U65393 AT4), or |
(b) | [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note. |
2. | After the Transfer the Transferee will hold: |
[CHECK ONE]
(a) | [ ] a beneficial interest in the: |
(i) | [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP 65409Q BK7), or |
(ii) | [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP U65393 AT4), or |
(iii) | [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [ ]); or |
(b) | [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or |
(c) | [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. |
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Nielsen Finance LLC
Nielsen Finance Co.
c/o Nielsen Holdings plc
675 6th Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Fax No.: 646 ###-###-####
Attention: General Counsel
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust and Agency Services
60 Wall Street, 24th Floor
MS: NYC60-2405
New York, NY 10005
Fax No.: 732 ###-###-####
Attention: Corporate Team/ Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. Deal ID: SF5297
Re: 4.750% Senior Notes due 2031
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2021 (the Indenture), among Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
___________ (the Owner) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $__________ in such Note[s] or interests (the Exchange). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer
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restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) other than Rule 144, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act other than Rule 144, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owners Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act other than Rule 144, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owners Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act other than Rule 144, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
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b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers and are dated ______________________.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated: _______________________
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EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
Supplemental Indenture (this Supplemental Indenture), dated as of __________, among __________________ (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), an affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the Issuers), and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the Trustee).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the Indenture), dated as of May 28, 2021, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2031 (the Notes);
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the Guarantee); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:
(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of, interest and premium, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
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(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the other Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.
(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.
(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.
(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.
(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.
(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
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(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a voidable preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(l) This Guarantee shall be an unsecured, unsubordinated obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary and will be equal in right of payment with any other future Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any, that is not subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and Guarantees.
(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof; the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, any member state of the European Union as of the Issue Date or the jurisdiction of organization of any Guaranteeing Subsidiary (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Person);
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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiarys related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture.
(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiarys Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or an Issuer.
(5) Releases. The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiarys Guarantee, upon:
(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or a Subsidiary of a Guarantor or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture;
(B) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the requirement to provide the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;
(C) the designation in compliance with the terms of this Indenture of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or
(D) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; [or]
[(E) in the case of a Foreign Parent, the merger of such entity into, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of such entity to, another Foreign Parent; or]6 [and]
[(F) in the case of any Guaranteeing Subsidiary that become a Guarantor pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 4.15 of the Indenture, upon notice to the Trustee; and]7
6 | To include if the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is a Foreign Parent. |
7 | To include if the Guaranteeing Subsidiary that become a Guarantor pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 4.15 of the Indenture. |
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(2) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(6) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.
(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiarys Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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