Exchange and Investment Agreement by and among the Registrant, Nikola Subsidiary Corporation and Antara Capital LP, dated March 29, 2023
Exhibit 10.1
EXCHANGE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
by and among
NIKOLA CORPORATION,
NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION
and
THE PARTIES LISTED HEREIN
Dated as of March 29, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE 1 | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | 2 | |||||
Section 1.01. | Definitions | 2 | ||||
Section 1.02. | General Interpretive Principles | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 | ||||||
EXCHANGE, SALE AND PURCHASE | 10 | |||||
Section 2.01. | Exchange of the Exchanged Notes | 10 | ||||
Section 2.02. | Closing | 10 | ||||
Section 2.03. | Termination | 11 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 | ||||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 12 | |||||
Section 3.01. | Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Guarantor | 12 | ||||
Section 3.02. | Representations and Warranties of Each Investor | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE 4 | ||||||
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 26 | |||||
Section 4.01. | Taking of Necessary Action | 26 | ||||
Section 4.02. | Securities Laws | 26 | ||||
Section 4.03. | Antitrust Approval | 26 | ||||
Section 4.04. | Conversion Price Matters | 27 | ||||
Section 4.05. | Nasdaq Approval | 27 | ||||
Section 4.06. | DTC Eligibility | 27 | ||||
Section 4.07. | Authorized and Reserved Company Common Stock | 27 | ||||
Section 4.08. | Agreement to Amend Existing Indenture | 27 | ||||
Section 4.09. | Indemnifications. | 28 | ||||
Section 4.10. | Certain Tax Matters | 29 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 | ||||||
REGISTRATION RIGHTS | 30 | |||||
Section 5.01. | New Notes | 30 | ||||
Section 5.02. | Registration Statement | 30 | ||||
Section 5.03. | Registration Limitations and Obligations | 31 | ||||
Section 5.04. | Registration Procedures | 33 | ||||
Section 5.05. | Expenses | 37 | ||||
Section 5.06. | Registration Indemnification | 37 | ||||
Section 5.07. | Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144 | 39 |
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ARTICLE 6 | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | 40 | |||||
Section 6.01. | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 40 | ||||
Section 6.02. | Notices | 40 | ||||
Section 6.03. | Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries; Amendment | 41 | ||||
Section 6.04. | Counterparts | 41 | ||||
Section 6.05. | Public Announcements | 41 | ||||
Section 6.06. | [Reserved.] | 42 | ||||
Section 6.07. | Successors and Assigns | 42 | ||||
Section 6.08. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 42 | ||||
Section 6.09. | Severability | 43 | ||||
Section 6.10. | Specific Performance | 43 | ||||
Section 6.11. | Headings | 44 | ||||
Section 6.12. | Non-Recourse | 44 |
Schedules and Exhibits |
Schedule 1: Investors |
Exhibit A: Form of Joinder |
Exhibit B: Settlement Instructions and Exchange Procedures |
Exhibit C: Form of Supplemental Indenture |
Exhibit D: Form of New Indenture |
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EXCHANGE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This EXCHANGE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of March 29, 2023 by and between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (together with any successor or assign pursuant to Section 6.07, the Company), and the several Investors listed on Schedule 1 hereto (together with their successors and permitted assigns, each an Investor and, collectively, the Investors). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined where used shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Article 1.
WHEREAS, the Investors currently own $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Companys 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (CUSIP 654110AA3) (the Exchanged Notes);
WHEREAS, the parties desire that the Company acquire, and that each Investor delivers to the Company, the principal amount of Exchanged Notes owned by each Investor and set forth opposite such Investors name in Schedule 1 hereto, in exchange for the Companys issuance to such Investor of new 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the New Notes), to be issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined below), by and among the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the New Indenture), upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the New Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by (i) the guarantor listed in Schedule 2 to the Notes Investment Agreement (the Guarantor) and (ii) any Company Subsidiary formed or acquired after the issuance of the New Notes that executes an additional guarantee in accordance with the terms of the New Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, pursuant to their guarantees (the New Note Guarantees). All references herein to the New Notes shall be deemed to include the Guarantees;
WHEREAS, the Company and each Investor desire to enter into certain agreements set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, prior to the execution hereof, the Board of Directors (as defined below) approved and authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Action shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.09(a).
Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Investor (i) the Company and the Companys Subsidiaries shall not be considered Affiliates of such Investor or any of such Investors Affiliates and (ii) for purposes of the definitions of Beneficially Own and Registrable Securities and Sections 3.02(d), 3.02(g) and 4.03, no portfolio company of an Investor or its Affiliates shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Investor and its other Affiliates so long as such portfolio company has not been directed, encouraged, instructed, assisted or advised by, or coordinated with, such Investor or any of its Affiliates in carrying out any act prohibited by this Agreement. As used in this definition, control (including its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(n)(ii).
Associate shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act; provided that with respect to each Investor (i) the Company and the Companys Subsidiaries will not be considered Associates of such Investor or any of its Affiliates and (ii) no portfolio company of such Investor or its other Affiliates will be deemed Associates of such Investor or any of its other Affiliates.
Available means, with respect to a Registration Statement, that such Registration Statement is effective and there is no stop order with respect thereto and such Registration Statement does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading such that such Registration Statement will be available for the resale of Registrable Securities.
Beneficially Own, Beneficially Owned, Beneficial Ownership and Beneficial Owner shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this Agreement the words within sixty days in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) shall not apply, to the effect that a person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership of such security at any time. Solely for purposes of determining the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes or New Notes Beneficially Owned by each Investor and its Affiliates, the Notes and the New Notes shall be treated as if upon conversion the only settlement option under the Notes and the New Notes and the New Indenture and the New Indenture was for settlement in shares of Company Common Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, each Investor (or any other person) shall at all times be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes or the New Notes directly or indirectly held by them, irrespective of any non-conversion period specified in the Notes or the New Notes or this Agreement or any restrictions on transfer or voting contained in this Agreement or the Notes Investment Agreement.
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Blackout Period means in the event that the Company determines in good faith that any registration or sale pursuant to any registration statement would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect or materially interfere with any bona fide financing of the Company or any material transaction under consideration by the Company or would require disclosure of information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public, the premature disclosure of which would adversely affect the Company in any material respect, a period of up to sixty (60) days; provided that a Blackout Period may not be called by the Company more than twice in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months.
Board of Directors shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
Breach shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(r).
Business Day shall mean any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed.
Capital Stock means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.
Change in Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events following the date hereof:
(i) | a person or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of the Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of Company Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of Company Common Stock; |
(ii) | the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of Company Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which Company Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which Company Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one of the Companys Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Companys Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving Person or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a Change in Control pursuant to this clause (b); |
(iii) | the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
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Closing shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
Closing Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
Common Equity of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.
Company shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Company Common Stock shall mean shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
Company Owned Intellectual Property Rights shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(o).
Company Reports shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(g)(i).
Company Subsidiary shall mean a Subsidiary of the Company.
Convertible Notes shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).
Conversion Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04
Conversion Rate shall have the meaning set forth in the New Indenture.
Data Security Obligations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(q).
Disclosure Document shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05.
DTC shall mean The Depositary Trust Company.
End Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
Enforceability Exceptions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c).
Environmental Laws shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(s).
Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Exchanged Notes shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Existing Indenture shall mean the Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2022, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee.
GAAP shall mean U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Governmental Entity shall mean any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality, whether federal, state, local or foreign, and any applicable industry self-regulatory organization.
Guarantor shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
HSR Act shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Intellectual Property Rights shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(o).
Investor shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Investor Affiliates means, collectively and individually, the Affiliates and Associates of each Investor.
IT Systems and Data shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(r).
Joinder shall mean, with respect to any Person permitted to sign such document in accordance with the terms hereof, a joinder executed and delivered by such Person, providing such Person to have all the rights and obligations of an Investor under this Agreement, in form and substance substantially as attached hereto as Exhibit A or such other form as may be agreed to by the Company and an Investor.
Liens shall mean liens, mortgages, pledges, security interests, charges, encumbrances, title retention agreement, or adverse claims, rights or proxies of any kind.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean: any events, changes or developments that, individually or in the aggregate:
(i) have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any event, change or development resulting from or arising out of the following:
(a) | events, changes or developments generally affecting the economy, the financial or securities markets, or political, legislative or regulatory conditions, in each case in the United States or elsewhere in the world; |
(b) | events, changes or developments in the industries in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary conducts its business; |
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(c) | any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal, modification, reinterpretation or proposal of any rule, regulation, ordinance, order, protocol or any other law of or by any national, regional, state or local Governmental Entity, or market administrator; |
(d) | any changes in GAAP or accounting standards or interpretations thereof; |
(e) | epidemics, pandemics, earthquakes, any weather-related or other force majeure event or natural disasters or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or terrorism or cyberattacks; |
(f) | the announcement or the existence of, compliance with or performance under, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; |
(g) | any taking of any action at the request of any Investor; |
(h) | any failure by the Company to meet any financial projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (provided that the exception in this clause (h) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any event, change, effect or development underlying such failure has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect so long as it is not otherwise excluded by this definition); or |
(i) | any changes in the share price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or in the Companys credit rating (provided that the exception in this clause (i) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any event, change, effect or development underlying such change has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect so long as it is not otherwise excluded by this definition); |
except, in each case with respect to subclauses (a) through (e), to the extent that such event, change or development disproportionately affects the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate; or
(ii) materially and adversely affect or delay the Companys power or ability to consummate the Transactions or perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Nasdaq shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market.
New Indenture shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
New Notes shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Note or Notes shall mean the Companys 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 issued pursuant to the Existing Indenture.
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Notes Investment Agreement shall mean the Investment Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2022, by and among the Company, Nikola Subsidiary Corporation, and the parties listed therein.
Offering Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04.
Open Source Software shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(p).
Person or person shall mean an individual, corporation, limited liability or unlimited liability company, association, partnership, trust, estate, joint venture, business trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or other entity of any kind or nature.
Personal Data shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(q).
Prospectus shall mean the Base Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement.
Prospectus Supplement shall mean the supplement to the Base Prospectus complying with Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act as filed with the SEC relating to the issuance of the Shares to the Investors.
Registrable Securities shall mean the Subject Securities; provided that any Subject Securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when:
(w) | such Subject Securities have been sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement or in compliance with Rule 144 and any restrictive legend has been removed in connection therewith; |
(x) | such Subject Securities cease to be outstanding; or |
(y) | if the Company consolidates or merges with or into any Person in a transaction that constitutes a Change in Control and the Subject Securities are converted into or exchanged for securities of a different issuer and/or cash and such other securities are not listed on Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange or any other nationally recognized securities exchange; |
provided that any security that has ceased to be Registrable Securities in accordance with the foregoing definition shall not thereafter become Registrable Securities and any security that is issued or distributed in respect of securities that have ceased to be Registrable Securities are not Registrable Securities.
Registration Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(a).
Registration Expenses shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Article 5, including all registration, listing and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Company and reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel to the Selling Holders (not to exceed $50,000), fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with complying with
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state securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., transfer taxes, and fees of transfer agents and registrars, but excluding any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions, agency fees, brokers commissions and transfer taxes, in each case to the extent applicable to the Registrable Securities of the Selling Holders.
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement of the Company filed or to be filed with the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, and including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
Registration Termination Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(b).
Rule 144 shall mean Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such rule.
Rule 144A shall mean Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such rule.
Sanctions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(n)(iii)(A).
SEC shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Specified Persons shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.
Stockholder Approval means both of the following have occurred: (i) the Company has amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Company Common Stock to allow for the reservation of at least such number of shares of Company Common Stock as needed upon initial conversion of all Notes and all New Notes and (ii) the Company has obtained the stockholder approval contemplated by Nasdaq Rule 5635 with respect to the issuance, in the aggregate, of Company Common Stock in excess of the limitations imposed by such rule (A) pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and the investors listed on Schedule 1 thereto dated the date hereof and (B) upon conversion of the New Notes.
Subject Securities shall mean:
(i) the shares of Company Common Stock issuable or issued upon conversion of the New Notes; and
(ii) any securities issued as or pursuant to (or issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange of any warrant, right or other security that is issued as or pursuant to) a dividend, stock split, combination or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or any other distribution or reorganization with respect to, or in exchange for, or in replacement of, the securities referenced in clause (i) above or this clause (ii).
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Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which 50% or more of the shares of the voting securities or other voting interests are owned or controlled, or the ability to select or elect 50% or more of the directors or similar managers is held, directly or indirectly, by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such first Person, or by such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.
Tax or Taxes shall mean all federal, state, local, and foreign income, excise, gross receipts, gross income, ad valorem, profits, gains, property, capital, sales, transfer, use, payroll, employment, severance, withholding, duties, intangibles, franchise, backup withholding, value-added, and other taxes imposed by a Governmental Entity, together with all interest, penalties and additions to tax imposed with respect thereto.
Tax Return shall mean a report, return or other document (including any amendments thereto) required to be supplied to a Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes.
Transactions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c).
Trustee shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Tumim Agreements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).
Underwritten Offering shall mean a sale of Registrable Securities to an underwriter or underwriters for reoffering to the public, including in a block trade offered and sold through an underwriter or underwriters.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to more than 50% in the definition of Subsidiary shall be deemed replaced by a reference to 100%.
WKSI means a well known seasoned issuer, as defined under Rule 405 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act.
Section 1.02. General Interpretive Principles. Whenever used in this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, any noun or pronoun shall be deemed to include the plural as well as the singular and to cover all genders. The name assigned to this Agreement and the section captions used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or effect hereof. Whenever the words include, includes, or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation. Unless otherwise specified, the terms hereto, hereof, herein and similar terms refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the exhibits, schedules and disclosure statements hereto), references to the date hereof refer to the date of this Agreement and references herein to Articles or Sections refer to Articles or Sections of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the New Notes will have any right to vote or any right to receive any dividends
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or other distributions that are made or paid to the holders of the shares of Company Common Stock, except as otherwise provided in the New Indenture. References to any law or statute shall be deemed to refer to such law or statute as amended from time to time and, if applicable, to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, except as otherwise provided herein or in the New Indenture.
ARTICLE 2
EXCHANGE, SALE AND PURCHASE
Section 2.01. Exchange of the Exchanged Notes.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall acquire from each Investor, and each Investor shall transfer, assign and deliver to the Company, all of such Investors rights, title and interest in the aggregate principal amount of the Exchanged Notes owned by such Investor as set forth opposite such Investors name in Schedule 1 hereto, free and clear of any Liens, in exchange for an equivalent principal amount of New Notes, free and clear of any Liens. Upon such exchange, each Investor hereby releases and discharges the Company from any and all claims such Investor may now have, or may have in the future, arising out of, or related to, such Exchanged Notes.
(b) No additional consideration for any purpose shall be due to the Investors in respect of such Exchanged Notes other than the New Notes issuable hereunder, and delivery of the New Notes shall be deemed to be in consideration of the Exchanged Notes and the Investors agreement in Section 4.07 hereof. The New Notes shall bear interest at the applicable Cash Interest Rate or PIK Interest Rate (as defined in the New Indenture) from and including November 30, 2022.
Section 2.02. Closing.
(a) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions for the Closing set forth in this Section 2.02, the closing (the Closing) of the exchange of the Exchanged Notes for the New Notes shall take place electronically on April 11, 2023, or at such other place, time or date as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Company and the Investors (the date on which the Closing actually occurs, the Closing Date).
(b) To effect the exchange of the Exchanged Notes for the New Notes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing:
(i) the exchange of the Exchanged Notes shall occur in accordance with the exchange procedures set forth in Exhibit B hereto; provided that no delivery of New Notes will be made until the Exchanged Notes have been properly submitted for exchange in accordance with such exchange procedures and no accrued interest will be payable by reason of any delay in making such delivery; provided, further, that each of the Company and the Investors acknowledges that the delivery of the New Notes to any Investor may be delayed due to procedures and mechanics within the system of the Trustee, DTC or Nasdaq or other events beyond the Companys control and that such a delay will not be a default under this Agreement so long as (x) the Company is using its reasonable best efforts to effect such delivery, or (y) such delay arises due to a failure by Investor to deliver settlement instructions.
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(ii) each Investor shall have caused to be delivered to the Company a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable.
(c) The obligations of the Company and each Investor to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(i) the exchange of the Exchanged Notes for the New Notes shall not be prohibited by law or enjoined by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction; and
(ii) the Company and the Investors shall have agreed upon the Conversion Price, Conversion Rate and the make-whole table in the New Indenture, each of which shall be calculated or prepared, as applicable, in accordance with Section 4.04.
The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all conditions to the obligations hereunder to be satisfied as promptly as reasonably practicable.
Section 2.03. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated before the Closing:
(i) by mutual written agreement of the Company and each Investor (solely with respect to itself);
(ii) by either the Company or an Investor (solely with respect to itself), if:
(A) the Closing has not been consummated on or before the 25th Business Day following the date of this Agreement (the End Date); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 2.03(a)(ii) shall not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in the failure of the Closing to be consummated by such time; or
(B) the exchange of the Exchanged Notes for New Notes shall have been (1) prohibited by law or (2) enjoined by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, and such injunction shall have become final and nonappealable.
(iii) by an Investor (solely with respect to itself), if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement in any material respect on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred; or
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(iv) by the Company, if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement in any material respect on the part of any Investor set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 2.03(a), this Agreement shall become void and of no effect without liability of any party (or any stockholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of such party) to the other party with respect to whom this Agreement shall have terminated; provided that, if such termination shall result from the intentional (i) failure of a party to fulfill a condition to the performance of the obligations of another party or (ii) failure of a party to perform a covenant hereof, such party shall be fully liable for any and all liabilities and damages incurred or suffered by another party as a result of such failure. The provisions of this Section 2.03(b) and Sections 6.08, 6.10 and 6.12 shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 2.03.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Guarantor. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC and publicly available prior to the date hereof (excluding in each case any disclosures set forth in the risk factors or forward-looking statements sections of such reports, and any other disclosures included therein to the extent they are predictive or forward-looking in nature), the Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to the Investors, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
(a) Existence and Power.
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Each Company Subsidiary has been duly incorporated, organized or formed, is validly existing as a corporation or other business entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation (to the extent that the concept of good standing is applicable in such jurisdiction), has the corporate or other business entity power and authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing (to the extent that the concept of good standing is applicable in such jurisdiction) in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing (to the extent that the concept of good standing is applicable in such jurisdiction) would not, singly or in the
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aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Company Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, except for directors qualifying shares, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.
(b) Capitalization. The authorized share capital of the Company consists of 800,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 150,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of February 28, 2023, there were (i) 557,384,858 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock of the Company issued and outstanding, (ii) options to purchase an aggregate of 22,390,241 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding, (iii) 28,983,635 shares of Company Common Stock underlying the Companys outstanding restricted stock unit awards (assuming maximum vesting of such awards) and 82,334 shares of Company Common Stock underlying certain restricted stock units and performance-related stock units and (iv) warrants to purchase 1,388,266 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding. Since February 28, 2023, (A) the Company has only issued options and restricted stock unit awards or other rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and (B) the only shares of capital stock issued by the Company were pursuant to (v) the Companys existing equity plans, (w) exercise or vesting of outstanding warrants, outstanding options, restricted stock unit awards and other compensatory rights to purchase shares of Company Common Stock granted to employees, directors or other service providers, (x) the Companys common stock purchase agreements with Tumim Stone Capital LLC, which agreements are described in the Company Reports (the Tumim Agreements), (y) the Companys equity distribution agreement with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. dated August 30, 2022, which agreement is described in the Company Reports or (z) series A senior convertible notes due 2023 and series B-1 senior convertible notes due 2024, which notes are described in the Company Reports (together with documents related to such notes, the Convertible Notes). All outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar right, purchase option, call or right of first refusal or similar right. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC and publicly available since December 31, 2022 and as provided in this Agreement, the Existing Indenture and the Notes, there are no existing options, warrants, calls, preemptive (or similar) rights, subscriptions or other rights, agreements or commitments obligating the Company to issue, transfer or sell, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold, any capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such capital stock and there are no current outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares of capital stock, except with respect to the acquisition of shares of Company Common Stock by the Company to satisfy the payment of the applicable exercise price or withholding taxes for equity awards. Since December 31, 2022, the Company has not declared or paid any dividends.
(c) Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the New Indenture and the New Notes (collectively, the Transaction Agreements) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (collectively, the Transactions) have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and all other necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the Guarantor. Assuming this Agreement
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constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each Investor, this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to the limitation of such enforcement by (A) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, arrangement, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference or other laws affecting or relating to creditors rights generally or (B) the rules governing the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (the Enforceability Exceptions). On the Closing Date, each of the New Indenture and the New Note Guarantees will be duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantor, as the case may be, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, as the case may be, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
(d) General Solicitation; No Integration. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which, to its knowledge, is or will be integrated with the Exchanged Notes exchanged pursuant to this Agreement.
(e) Valid Issuance. The New Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. When issued in exchange for the Exchanged Notes pursuant this Agreement, the New Notes will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms against them, subject to the limitation of such enforcement by the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company will, upon receipt of Stockholder Approval, have available and will reserve for issuance the maximum number of shares (including make-whole shares) of Company Common Stock initially issuable upon conversion of the New Notes if such conversion were to occur immediately following Closing (assuming fully physical share settlement). The Company Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the New Notes in accordance with the terms of the New Notes has been duly authorized and, upon reservation for issuance as contemplated by the preceding sentence and when issued upon conversion of the New Notes, all such Company Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of pre-emptive or similar rights.
(f) Non-Contravention/No Consents. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements, the issuance of the shares of Company Common Stock upon conversion of the New Notes in accordance with their terms assuming receipt of Stockholder Approval and the consummation by the Company and each of the Guarantor of the Transactions, does not conflict with, violate or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination of or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (i) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (ii) any mortgage, note, indenture, deed of trust, lease, license, loan agreement or other agreement binding upon the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (iii) any permit, license, judgment, order, decree, ruling, injunction, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary other than in the cases of clauses (ii) and (iii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of each Investor set forth herein, other than (A) any required filings or approvals under the HSR Act or any foreign antitrust or
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competition laws, requirements or regulations in connection with the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon the conversion of the New Notes, (B) pursuant to any requirements or regulations in connection with the issuance of Company Common Stock upon the conversion of the New Notes, including the filing of a listing notice with Nasdaq or filings under state securities or blue sky laws, (C) any required filings pursuant to the Exchange Act or the rules of the SEC, Nasdaq or state regulators, or (D) as have been obtained prior to the date of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required on the part of the Company or any Company Subsidiary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Guarantor of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company and the Guarantor of the Transactions (in each case other than the transactions contemplated by Article 5), except for any consent, approval, order, authorization, registration, declaration, filing, exemption or review the failure of which to be obtained or made, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Reports; Financial Statements.
(i) The Company has filed with or furnished to the SEC, as applicable, (A) its annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and (B) all other forms, reports, schedules and other statements required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since December 31, 2022 (collectively, the Company Reports). As of its respective date, and, if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment, each Company Report complied in all material respects as to form with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to such Company Report. As of its respective date, and, if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment, no Company Report contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
(ii) Each of the consolidated balance sheets, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows, included in the Company Reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act (A) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (B) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates shown and the results of the consolidated operations, changes in stockholders equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth, subject, in the case of any unaudited financial statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments, (C) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except as otherwise set forth therein or in the notes thereto and, in the case of unaudited financial statements, except for the absence of footnote disclosure, and (D) otherwise comply in all material respects with the requirements of the SEC.
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(iii) Except as disclosed in the Company Reports, the Company and its Subsidiaries have established and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Companys financial reporting and the preparation of Company financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
(iv) Except as disclosed in the Company Reports and other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, there has been no transaction, or series of related transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor is there any proposed transaction, or series of related transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act that have not been disclosed in the Company Reports.
(h) Absence of Certain Changes. Since December 31, 2022, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) no events, changes or developments have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) No Undisclosed Liabilities, etc. As of the date hereof, there are no liabilities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on the face of the balance sheet, except (i) liabilities reflected or reserved against in the financial statements or disclosed in the notes thereto contained in the Company Reports, (ii) liabilities incurred since December 31, 2022 in the ordinary course of business and (iii) liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Compliance with Applicable Law. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has complied in all respects with, and is not in default or violation in any respect of, any law, statute, order, rule, regulation, policy or guideline of any federal, state or local or international Governmental Entity having jurisdiction or otherwise applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(k) Legal Proceedings. There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is subject that would, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Demand Rights. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company that are not already registered as of the date hereof, other than this Agreement, the Notes Investment Agreement, the Tumim Agreements and the Convertible Notes.
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(m) Real and Personal Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all items of real property described in the Company Reports as being owned by them, good and valid title to all personal property described in the Company Reports as being owned by them that are material to the businesses of the Company or such Subsidiary, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, except those matters that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real or personal property described in the Company Reports as being leased by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries is held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that (A) do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries complies with all applicable codes, laws and regulations (including building and zoning codes, laws and regulations and laws relating to access to such properties), except for such failures to comply that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received from any Governmental Entities any notice of any condemnation of, or zoning change affecting, the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the Company knows of no such condemnation or zoning change which is threatened, except for such that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(n) Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering, and Economic Sanctions Compliance.
(i) (i) None of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or affiliate, or any director, officer, or employee thereof, or, to the Companys knowledge, any agent or representative of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or affiliate, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment, giving or receipt of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) in order to influence official action, or to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws; (ii) the Company and each Company Subsidiary and their respective affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein; and (iii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws.
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(ii) The operations of the Company and each Company Subsidiary are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and each Company Subsidiary conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Anti-Money Laundering Laws), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(iii) None of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or any director, officer, or employee thereof, or, to the Companys knowledge, any agent, affiliate or representative of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more Persons that are:
(A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions), or
(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (as of the date of this Agreement, the socalled Donetsk Peoples Republic, the socalled Luhansk Peoples Republic, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).
(iv) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:
(A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or
(B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).
(v) The Company and each Company Subsidiary have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.
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(o) Intellectual Property. Except to the extent it would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company and each Company Subsidiary own or have a valid license to use any and all patents, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, processes or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names, software, data and other worldwide intellectual property or similar proprietary rights, including any and all registrations and applications for registration thereof and any and all goodwill associated therewith (collectively, Intellectual Property Rights), in each case, used in or reasonably necessary to the conduct of their businesses as currently conducted; (ii) the Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (the Company Owned Intellectual Property Rights), are solely and exclusively owned by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, defects or similar encumbrances or other restrictions, other than non-exclusive licenses granted in the ordinary course of business; (iii) the Company Owned Intellectual Property Rights and, to the Companys knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company or any Company Subsidiary, are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and there is no pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by a third party (A) challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property Rights or (B) alleging that the Company or any Company Subsidiary has infringed, misappropriated or violated any Intellectual Property Rights of any third party; (iv) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice alleging any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of Intellectual Property Rights; (v) to the Companys knowledge, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Company Owned Intellectual Property Rights; (vi) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights; (vii) all employees or contractors engaged in the development of Intellectual Property Rights on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary have executed an invention assignment agreement whereby such employees or contractors presently assign all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights to the Company or a Company Subsidiary, and to the Companys knowledge no such agreement has been breached or violated; and (viii) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries use, and have used, commercially reasonable efforts to appropriately maintain the confidentiality of all information intended to be maintained as a trade secret (including proprietary confidential software source code).
(p) Open Source Software. Except to the extent it would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries use and have used any and all software and other materials distributed under a free, open source, or similar licensing model (including but not limited to the MIT License, Apache License, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU Affero General Public License) (Open Source Software) in compliance with all license terms applicable to such Open Source Software; and (ii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary uses or distributes or has used or distributed any Open Source Software in any manner that requires or has required (A) the Company or any Company Subsidiary to permit reverse engineering of any
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software code or other technology owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (B) any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to be (1) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (2) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works or (3) redistributed at no charge.
(q) Data Security; Privacy. The Company and each Company Subsidiary: (i) have complied and are presently in compliance in all material respects with all internal and external written privacy policies, contractual obligations, applicable laws, statutes, judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or other governmental or regulatory authority and any other applicable legal obligations, in each case, relating to the collection, use, transfer, import, export, storage, protection, disposal, disclosure or other processing by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary of personal data, personal information, personally identifiable information, and any similar term as defined by applicable law (Data Security Obligations, and such data and information, Personal Data); (ii) maintain and have maintained commercially reasonable policies and procedures designed to ensure the Companys, and the Company Subsidiaries compliance with the Data Security Obligations except to the extent it would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) have not received any notification of or complaint regarding, and are unaware of any other facts that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably indicate non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation. There is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency or authority pending or threatened in writing against the Company or any Company Subsidiary alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.
(r) Information Technology Systems and Data. Except to the extent it would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the information technology assets, equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, internet websites, applications, data and databases (including the Personal Data, the data of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any other third party data maintained, processed or transmitted by or on behalf of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) used by or on behalf of the Company and Company Subsidiaries (collectively, IT Systems and Data) are reasonably adequate for, and operate and perform as required in connection with, the operation of the businesses of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and each Company Subsidiary take and have taken all reasonable technical and organizational measures necessary to protect the IT Systems and Data. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have used commercially reasonable efforts to establish and maintain, and have established, maintained, implemented and complied with, reasonable information technology, information security, cyber security and data protection controls, policies and procedures, including oversight, access controls, encryption, technological and physical safeguards and business continuity/disaster recovery and security plans, consistent with industry standards and practices, that are designed to protect against and prevent the breach, destruction, loss, unauthorized distribution, use, access, disablement, misappropriation or modification, or any other compromise or misuse, in each case, of or relating to any IT Systems and Data (Breach). There has been no Breach, and the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not been notified of and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any Breach except as would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(s) Environmental Laws.
(i) The Company and each Company Subsidiary (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (Environmental Laws), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Labor Disputes. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(u) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and immediately after the issuance of the New Notes, will not be, required to register as an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(v) Insurance. The Company and each Company Subsidiary are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as, in the Companys reasonable judgment, are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(w) Certificates; Authorizations. The Company and each Company Subsidiary possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(x) Internal Controls. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports, the Company and each Company Subsidiary maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(y) Taxes and Tax Returns. The Company and each Company Subsidiary have filed all federal, state, local and foreign Tax Returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof (except where the failure to file would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect) and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except for cases in which the failure to file or pay would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or, except as currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any Company Subsidiary which, singly or in the aggregate, has had (nor does the Company nor any Company Subsidiary have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect.
(z) Statistical Data. Neither the Company, the Guarantor nor any Company Subsidiary has any securities rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.
(aa) Brokers and Finders. The Company has not retained, utilized or been represented by, or otherwise become obligated to, any broker, placement agent, financial advisor or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements whose fees the Investors would be required to pay.
(bb) Registration Statement Eligibility. The Company is eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 under the rules and requirements of the SEC.
(cc) Subsidiary Guarantor. The entity that is party to the New Indenture as the Guarantor is the only Subsidiary of the Company that is not (individually or in the aggregate) an Immaterial Subsidiary as defined in the New Indenture.
(dd) No Additional Representations.
(i) The Company and the Guarantor acknowledge that each Investor makes no representation or warranty as to any matter whatsoever except as expressly set forth in Section 3.02 or in any certificate delivered by such Investor pursuant to this Agreement, and neither the Company nor the Guarantor have relied on or been induced by such information or any other representations or warranties (whether express or implied or made orally or in writing) not expressly set forth in Section 3.02 or in any certificate delivered by such Investor pursuant to this Agreement.
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(ii) The Company and the Guarantor acknowledge and agree that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Section 3.02 or in any certificate delivered by each Investor pursuant to this Agreement, (i) no person has been authorized by such Investor to make any representation or warranty relating to such Investor or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if made, such representation or warranty must not be relied upon by the Company as having been authorized by such Investor, and (ii) any materials or information provided or addressed to the Company or any of its Affiliates or representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties of such Investor unless any such materials or information are the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Section 3.02 of this Agreement or in any certificate delivered by such Investor pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 3.02. Representations and Warranties of Each Investor. Each Investor, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
(a) Organization; Ownership. Such Investor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent that the concept of good standing is recognized by the applicable jurisdiction) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement.
(b) Authorization; No Conflicts; Ownership.
(i) Such Investor has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the exchange of the New Notes. The execution, delivery and performance by such Investor of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action by such Investor. No other proceedings on the part of such Investor are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by such Investor of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Investor. Assuming this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of such Investor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the limitation of such enforcement by the Enforceability Exceptions.
(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Investor, the consummation by such Investor of the Transactions, and the compliance by such Investor with any of the provisions thereof will not conflict with, violate or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination of or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (A) any provision of such Investors organizational documents, (B) any mortgage, note, indenture, deed of trust, lease, license, loan agreement or other agreement binding upon such Investor or any of its Affiliates or (C) any permit, license, judgment, order, decree, ruling, injunction, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to such Investor or any of its Affiliates, other than in the cases of clauses (B) and (C) as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect or delay the consummation of the Transactions.
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(iii) As of the date hereof and as of the Closing, such Investor is the current sole legal and beneficial owner of the Exchanged Notes set forth opposite such Investors name in Schedule 1 to this Agreement. When the Exchanged Notes are exchanged, the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all Liens (i) arising by operation of applicable law, (ii) arising by operation of any organizational documents of the Investor, (iii) that is not terminated on or prior to the Closing. Such Investor has not, nor prior to the Closing, will have, in whole or in part, other than pledges or security interests that such Investor may have created in favor of a prime broker under and in accordance with its prime brokerage agreement with such broker, (x) assigned, transferred, hypothecated, pledged, exchanged, submitted for conversion pursuant to the Existing Indenture or otherwise disposed of any of its Exchanged Notes (other than to the Company pursuant hereto), or (y) given any person or entity any transfer order, power of attorney or other authority of any nature whatsoever with respect to its Exchanged Notes.
(c) Consents and Approvals. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or exemption or review by, any Governmental Entity is required on the part of such Investor in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Investor of this Agreement, and the consummation by such Investor of the Transactions to which it is a party, except for any required filings or approvals under the HSR Act or any foreign antitrust or competition laws, requirements or regulations in connection with the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon the conversion of the New Notes and any consent, approval, order, authorization, registration, declaration, filing, exemption or review the failure of which to be obtained or made, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect or delay the consummation of the Transactions by such Investor.
(d) Securities Act Representations. Such Investor is an accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) and is aware that the issuance of the New Notes is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption from registration under the Securities Act and that the New Notes may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration. Such Investor is acquiring the New Notes (and any shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes) for its own account, and not with a view toward, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or with any present intention of distributing or selling such New Notes (and any shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes) in violation of the Securities Act. Such Investor has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in such New Notes (and any shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes) and is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment. Such Investor has been provided a reasonable opportunity to undertake and has undertaken such investigation and has been provided with and has evaluated such documents and information as it has deemed necessary to enable it to make an informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. Such Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the New Notes.
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(e) Brokers and Finders. Such Investor has not retained, utilized or been represented by, or otherwise become obligated to, any broker, placement agent, financial advisor or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement whose fees the Company would be required to pay.
(f) Exchange Procedures. To the extent not completed, prior to the Closing Date, such Investor agrees to deliver to the Company settlement instructions substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
(g) No Additional Representations.
(i) Such Investor acknowledges that the Company does not make any representation or warranty as to any matter whatsoever except as expressly set forth in Section 3.01 or in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and specifically (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing), that, except as expressly set forth in Section 3.01 or in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to (A) any matters relating to the Company, its business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects or otherwise, (B) any projections, estimates or budgets delivered or made available to such Investor (or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other representatives) of future revenues, results of operations (or any component thereof), cash flows or financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (C) the future business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and such Investor has not relied on or been induced by such information or any other representations or warranties (whether express or implied or made orally or in writing) not expressly set forth in Section 3.01 or in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
(ii) Such Investor has conducted its own independent review and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries and acknowledges such Investor has been provided with sufficient access for such purposes. Such Investor acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Section 3.01 or in any certificate delivered by the Company or the Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement, (i) no person has been authorized by the Company or the Guarantor to make any representation or warranty relating to itself or its business or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if made, such representation or warranty must not be relied upon by such Investor as having been authorized by the Company or the Guarantor, and (ii) any estimates, projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided or addressed to such Investor or any of its Affiliates or representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties of the Company or the Guarantor unless any such materials or information are the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Section 3.01 of this Agreement or in any certificate delivered by the Company or the Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 4
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 4.01. Taking of Necessary Action. Each party hereto agrees to use its reasonable efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all action and promptly to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the exchange of Exchanged Notes for the New Notes hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and compliance with applicable law. In case at any time before or after the Closing any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the exchange of Exchanged Notes for the New Notes, the proper officers, managers and directors of each party to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action as may be reasonably requested by, and the sole expense of, the requesting party.
Section 4.02. Securities Laws. Each Investor acknowledges and agrees that the issuance and sale of the New Notes (and the shares of Company Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of the New Notes) have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and that they may be sold or otherwise disposed of only in one or more transactions registered under the Securities Act and, where applicable, such laws, or as to which an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and, where applicable, such laws, is available. Each Investor acknowledges that, except as provided in Article 5 with respect to shares of Company Common Stock and the New Notes, such Investor has no right to require the Company or any Company Subsidiary to register the shares of Company Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of the New Notes. Each Investor also acknowledges and agrees that the New Notes and underlying shares of Company Common Stock may be notated with a restrictive legend, subject to the terms of the New Indenture and the New Notes.
Section 4.03. Antitrust Approval. The Company and the Investors acknowledge that one or more filings under the HSR Act or foreign antitrust laws may be necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares of Company Common Stock upon conversion of the New Notes. Each Investor will promptly notify the Company if any such filing is required on the part of such Investor. To the extent reasonably requested, the Company, such Investor and any other applicable Investor Affiliate will use reasonable best efforts to cooperate in timely making or causing to be made all applications and filings under the HSR Act or any foreign antitrust requirements in connection with the issuance of the shares of Company Common Stock issued upon conversion of the New Notes held by such Investor or any Investor Affiliate in a timely manner and as required by the law of the applicable jurisdiction; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not have any responsibility or liability for failure of such Investor or any of its Affiliates to comply with any applicable law. The Company and each Investor shall cooperate, provide all necessary information, and keep each other fully apprised with respect to such filing and regulatory processes. For as long as there are New Notes outstanding and owned by an Investor or its Affiliates, the Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable provide (no more than four (4) times per calendar year) such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Investors may reasonably request in order to determine what foreign antitrust requirements may exist with respect to any potential conversion of the New Notes. Each party shall be responsible for the payment of the filing fees and any other costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with any such applications or filings made by such party.
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Section 4.04. Conversion Price Matters. The conversion price in the New Indenture shall be calculated as (A) the closing price (which shall be the last reported sales price, or, in case no such sales take place on such day, the average of the closing bid and the asked prices) per share of the Company Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq at 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 30, 2023 (the Offering Price) multiplied by (B) 130.0% multiplied by (C) (I) if the Public Offering (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) is consummated, the excess of (x) 100% over (y) the discount to the Offering Price at which a share of Common Stock was sold pursuant to such Public Offering expressed as a percentage or (II) if the Public Offering is not consummated, 80% (such price, the Conversion Price) (it being understood and agreed that by means of example and not in limitation of the foregoing, if the Offering Price was $1.50 and the Common Stock sold in the Public Offering was sold with a discount of 15% to the Offering Price, then the Conversion Price would be $1.6575 (i.e., $1.50 x 130.0% x (100% - 15%)) but if no Common Stock was sold in the Public Offering, then the Conversion Price would be $1.5600 (i.e., $1.50 x 130.0% x 80%)). The maximum Conversion Rate in the New Indenture shall be calculated based on the Offering Price. The Company and the Investors shall cooperate to agree the make-whole table in the New Indenture following customary procedures for similar convertible notes sold by public companies in the United States through nationally recognized investment banks.
Section 4.05. Nasdaq Approval. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance.
Section 4.06. DTC Eligibility. The Company shall cause the New Notes and the restricted Company Common Stock to be assigned one or more CUSIPs that are DTC eligible and shall make the New Notes available on request to any Investor through the facilities of DTC no later than the Closing Date.
Section 4.07. Authorized and Reserved Company Common Stock. Each Investor hereby waives the provisions of Section 4.08 of the Notes Investment Agreement until Stockholder Approval has been obtained. Once Stockholder Approval has been obtained, Section 4.08 of the Notes Investment Agreement shall be deemed to apply not only to the Notes outstanding initially sold pursuant to the Notes Investment Agreement but also to the New Notes issued in exchange for the Exchanged Notes.
Section 4.08. Agreement to Amend Existing Indenture. The Investors, as holders of all of the outstanding Notes, shall, as a condition to the Companys obligations at the Closing, provide their unanimous consent and agreement to the amendment of the Existing Indenture in substantially the form of supplemental indenture attached as Exhibit C hereto.
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Section 4.09. Indemnifications.
(a) Each Investor, its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, managers, general partners, advisors and agents (each, an Indemnitee) shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law by the Company, jointly and severally, for any and all Losses to which such Indemnitees may become subject as a result of, arising in connection with, or relating to any actual or threatened claim, suit, action, arbitration, cause of action, complaint, allegation, criminal prosecution, investigation, inquiry, demand letter, or proceeding, whether at law or at equity, direct or derivative and whether public or private, before or by any Governmental Entity, any arbitrator or other tribunal (each, and including any appeals therefrom, an Action) by any third party (including, without limitation, any stockholder of the Company or any regulator and including Losses arising from Actions not directly against an Indemnitee, such as witness expenses or responding to inquiries from a Governmental Entity) related to the Transactions; provided that the Company shall not be liable to indemnify any Indemnitee for any such Losses to the extent that such Losses (i) have resulted from an Investors breach of this Agreement, (ii) related to any transaction or arrangement, including any financing or hedging arrangement or trading in Company Common Stock, of such Investor or its Affiliates in connection with the applicable Investors or its Affiliates investment in the New Notes or (iii) have resulted from an Indemnitees willful misconduct or fraud in connection with the Transactions; provided, further, that the Company shall not be liable to indemnify an Indemnitee or its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, managers, general partners, advisors and agents under this Section 4.09 unless such Indemnitee provides notice of an Action for which indemnification is sought no later than six (6) months following the Closing Date, in which case the Companys indemnification obligations under this Section 4.09 shall cover such Action and any appeals therefrom. The parties agree, for the avoidance of doubt, that this Section 4.09 shall not apply to any matter for which indemnification is otherwise provided in Section 5.06.
(b) Each Indemnitee shall give the Company prompt written notice (an Indemnification Notice) of any Action it has actual knowledge of that might give rise to Losses for which an Indemnitee would reasonably be likely to be entitled to indemnification under this Section 4.09, which notice shall set forth a description of those elements of such Action of which such Indemnitee has knowledge and promptly deliver to the Company any complaints such Action or other documents provided to such Indemnitee in connection with; provided, that any delay or failure to give such Indemnification Notice shall not affect the indemnification obligations of the Company hereunder except to the extent the Company are materially prejudiced by such delay or failure.
(c) The Company shall have the right, exercisable by written notice to the applicable Indemnitee within thirty (30) days of receipt of the applicable Indemnification Notice, to select counsel to defend and control the defense of any third party claim set forth in such Indemnification Notice and the Company shall pay all fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, that the Company shall not be entitled to so select counsel or control the defense of any claim to the extent that (i) such claim seeks primarily non-monetary or injunctive relief against the Indemnitee or alleges any violation of criminal law, (ii) the Company does not, subsequent to its assumption of such defense in accordance with this clause (c), conduct the defense of such claim in good faith, (iii) any of the Indemnitees reasonably determines upon the advice of counsel that representation of all such Indemnitees by the same counsel would be prohibited by applicable codes of professional conduct, or (iv) in the event that, based on the reasonable advice
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of counsel for the applicable Indemnitee, there are one or more material defenses available to the applicable Indemnitee that are not available to other defendants. If the Company does not assume the defense of any third party claim in accordance with this clause (c), the applicable Indemnitee may continue to defend such claim at the sole cost of the Company and the Company may still participate in, but not control, the defense of such third party claim at the Companys sole cost and expense. In no event shall the Company, in connection with any Action or separate but substantially similar Actions arising out of the same general allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnitees chosen by the applicable Investor together with its Affiliates, and one separate firm of local counsel, in addition to regular counsel, to the extent required in order to effectively defend the Action.
(d) No Indemnitee shall consent to a settlement of, or the entry of any judgment arising from, any claim for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 4.09, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Except with the prior written consent of the applicable Indemnitee, the Company, in the defense of any claim for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 4.09, shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement unless such settlement includes (i) an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. In any such third party claim where the Company has assumed control of the defense thereof pursuant to clause (c), the Company shall keep the applicable Indemnitee reasonably informed as to the status of such claim at all stages thereof (including all settlement negotiations and offers), promptly submit to such Indemnitee copies of all pleadings, responsive pleadings, motions and other similar legal documents and paper received or filed in connection therewith, permit such Indemnitee and their respective counsels to confer with the Company and its counsel with respect to the conduct of the defense thereof, and permit such Indemnitee and their respective counsel a reasonable opportunity to review all legal papers to be submitted prior to their submission; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to provide materials, documents or information the disclosure of which would reasonably be likely to jeopardize the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel or violate applicable law.
Section 4.10. Certain Tax Matters. The Company acknowledges its obligation to determine whether the Notes are a section 871(m) transaction in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.871-15(p) and will inform each Investor of its determination within 10 days of the Closing Date and fulfill all other obligations of the responsible party within the meaning of that section. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall have the right to deduct and withhold from any payment or distribution made with respect to the Notes (or the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon conversion or repurchase by the Company of the Notes) such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld with respect to the making of such payment or distribution (or issuance) under any applicable Tax law. To the extent that any amounts are so deducted or withheld, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made. In the event the Company previously remitted any amounts to a Governmental Entity on account of Taxes required to be deducted or withheld in respect of any payment or distribution (or deemed distribution) on any Notes, the Company shall be entitled to effect any such amounts against any amounts otherwise payable in respect of such Notes (or the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon conversion or repurchase by the Company of the Notes).
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ARTICLE 5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 5.01. New Notes. The Subject Securities, so long as they are Registrable Securities, shall be afforded the registration rights provided therefor in this Article 5; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5, any Registration Statement relating thereto shall not be required to be filed until as soon as reasonably practicable after Stockholder Approval is obtained.
Section 5.02. Registration Statement.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the issuance of the New Notes, the Company will use reasonable efforts to prepare and file and use reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective or otherwise become effective pursuant to the Securities Act (such date of effectiveness, the Registration Date) a Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to an existing Registration Statement in order to register the issuance of the Registrable Securities and to provide for resales of the Registrable Securities to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (subject to the availability of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or any successor form thereto), which Registration Statement will (except to the extent the SEC objects in written comments upon the SECs review of such Registration Statement) include a plan of distribution and selling stockholder disclosure reasonably requested by an Investor. In addition, the Company will from time to time, after the initial Registration Statement has been declared effective, use reasonable efforts to file such additional Registration Statements to cover resales of any Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale pursuant to a pre-existing Registration Statement, including, without limitation, PIK Shares (including any PIK Shares in respect of any PIK Interest due on or about May 31, 2023 that is paid using the Capitalization Method), and will use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective or otherwise to become effective under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act at all times until the Registration Termination Date. The Company shall not be allowed to elect to pay PIK Interest on the Notes (other than any PIK Interest due on or about May 31, 2023) using the Capitalization Method unless a Registration Statement covering the maximum number of additional shares of Company Common Stock that may be issuable pursuant to conversions of the Notes for every interest payment date from the date of such proposed payment of PIK Interest until maturity (such shares, PIK Shares) is effective and available for use and is expected to remain effective in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence. Any Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Article 5 shall cover only Registrable Securities and, if applicable, securities that are Registrable Securities as defined in, and pursuant to, the Notes Investment Agreement, shall be on a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or a successor form) if the Company is eligible to use such form, and shall be an automatically effective Registration Statement if the Company is a WKSI.
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(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 5.03, and further subject to the availability of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form thereto) to the Company pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and interpretations of the SEC, the Company will use its reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement (or any replacement Registration Statement) continuously effective until the earlier of (such earlier date, the Registration Termination Date): (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement have been sold thereunder in accordance with the plan and method of distribution disclosed in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, and (ii) there otherwise cease to be any Registrable Securities.
(c) During such period of time that the Company ceases to be eligible to file or use a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form thereto), upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act covering the Registrable Securities of the requesting party and use reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective pursuant to the Securities Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing thereof and use reasonable efforts to file and cause to become effective such amendments thereto as are necessary in order to keep such Registration Statement available for no less than 60 days after its effective date. When the Company regains ability to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities it shall use reasonable efforts to do so as promptly as practicably do so in accordance with Section 5.02(a).
Section 5.03. Registration Limitations and Obligations.
(a) Subject to Section 5.02, the Company will use reasonable efforts to prepare such supplements or amendments (including a post-effective amendment), if required by applicable law, to each applicable Registration Statement and file any other required document so that such Registration Statement will be Available at all times during the period for which such Registration Statement is, or is required pursuant to this Agreement to be, effective; provided, that no such supplement, amendment or filing will be required during a Blackout Period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, from time to time, by providing written notice to the holders of Registrable Securities, to require such holders to suspend the use of the prospectus for sales of Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement during any Blackout Period; provided, for purposes of this Section 5.03, the Company shall only be obligated to provide written notice to any holder or Beneficial Owner of Registrable Securities of any such Blackout Period if such holder or Beneficial Owner has specified in writing to the Company for purposes of receiving such notice such holders or Beneficial Owners address and contact information. No sales may be made under the applicable Registration Statement during any Blackout Period of which the holders of Registrable Securities have received notice. In the event of a Blackout Period, the Company shall notify each holder of Registrable Securities promptly upon each of the commencement and the termination of each Blackout Period, which notice of termination shall be delivered to each holder of Registrable Securities no later than the close of business of the last day of the Blackout Period. In connection with the expiration of any Blackout Period and without any further request from a holder of Registrable Securities, the Company to the extent necessary and as required by applicable law shall as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare supplements or amendments, including a post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or the prospectus, or any document
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incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that the Registration Statement will be Available. A Blackout Period shall be deemed to have expired when the Company has notified the holders of Registrable Securities that the Blackout Period is over and the Registration Statement is Available. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the absence of an Available Registration Statement at any time from and after the Registration Date shall be considered a Blackout Period and subject to the limitations therein.
(b) At any time that a Registration Statement is effective and prior to the Registration Termination Date, if a holder of Registrable Securities delivers a notice to the Company (a Take-Down Notice) stating that it, together with any other Persons, intend to sell at least $50,000,000 in aggregate of Registrable Securities held by such holder and such other Persons, in each case, pursuant to the Registration Statement, then, no more than two (2) times in any twelve (12)-month period, the Company shall amend or supplement the Registration Statement as may be necessary and to the extent required by law so that the Registration Statement remains Available in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed in an Underwritten Offering. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities for which a holder delivers a Take-Down Notice and satisfies the dollar thresholds set forth in first sentence above, and where the Take-Down Notice contemplates marketing efforts not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours by the Company and the underwriters, the Company will use reasonable efforts to cooperate and make its senior officers available for participation in such marketing efforts (which marketing efforts will not, for the avoidance of doubt, include a road show requiring such officers to travel outside of the city in which they are primarily located). The Company shall select the underwriters (including the managing underwriters) for each Underwritten Offering; provided that the underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the holder of Registrable Securities that delivered the applicable Take-Down Notice. The Company shall select the counsel for the underwriters; provided that such counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the managing underwriters and the holder of Registrable Securities that delivered the applicable Take-Down Notice. Such holder shall determine the pricing of the Registrable Securities offered pursuant to any such Registration Statement, including the underwriting discount and fees payable by such holder to the underwriters in such Underwritten Offering. Such holder shall reasonably determine the timing of any such registration and sale. Such holder shall determine the applicable underwriting discount and other financial terms, and such holder of the Registrable Securities sold in the Underwritten Offering shall be solely responsible for all such discounts and fees payable to such underwriters in such Underwritten Offering. Without the consent of the applicable holder of Registrable Securities subject to an Underwritten Offering, no Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Agreement shall include any securities other than Registrable Securities.
(c) In connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company and its directors and officers shall, to the extent requested by managing underwriters of such a distribution, be subject to a customary lockup agreement with a restricted period of the same length of time as such holder agrees with the managing underwriters (but not to exceed 90 days) during which the Company may not issue or transfer, and its officers and directors may not transfer, shares of Company Common Stock or any securities exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, shares of Company Common Stock, subject to customary carve-outs agreed with the managing underwriters, which may include, but are not limited to: (i) issuances pursuant to the Companys employee or director stock plans and issuances of shares upon the exercise of options or other
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equity awards under such stock plans, (ii) sales in connection with the settlement of equity awards to cover tax withholding obligations, and (iii) sales under trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1, and (iv) in connection with acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions (which, in the case of this clause (iv), would not exceed up to 10% of the outstanding Company Common Stock at the time of such Underwritten Offering).
(d) In addition to the registration rights provided in this Section 5.03, holders of the Notes shall have analogous rights to sell such securities in a marketed offering under Rule 144A through one or more initial purchasers on a firm-commitment basis, on the terms, subject to the conditions and using procedures that are substantially equivalent to those specified in this Section 5.03 and Section 5.04, mutatis mutandis. The Company agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cooperate to effect any such sales under such Rule 144A; provided that nothing in this Section 5.03(d) shall impose any additional or more burdensome obligations on the Company than would apply under this Section 5.03 and Section 5.04, in each case, mutatis mutandis in respect of a registered Underwritten Offering, or require that the Company take any actions that it would not be required to take in a substantially similar Underwritten Offering of such Notes.
Section 5.04. Registration Procedures.
(a) If and whenever the Company is required to use reasonable efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act and in connection with any distribution of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto as provided in this Agreement (including any sale referred to in any Take-Down Notice), the Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement:
(i) use reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement to effect such registration in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution of such securities and thereafter use reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Article 5; provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities at any time prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement relating thereto; provided, further, that before filing such registration statement or any amendments or supplements thereto, including any prospectus supplements in connection with a sale referred to in a Take-Down Notice, the Company will furnish to the holders which are including Registrable Securities in such registration (Selling Holders) and the lead managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review and reasonable comment (which comments will be considered in good faith by the Company) of the counsel (if any) to such holders and counsel (if any) to such underwriters, and other documents reasonably requested by any such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, and, if requested by any such counsel, provide such counsel and the lead managing underwriters, if any, reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and each prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) included or deemed included therein and such other opportunities to conduct a customary and reasonable due diligence investigation (in the context of a registered underwritten offering) of the Company, including reasonable access to (including responses to any reasonable inquiries by the lead managing underwriters and their counsel) the Companys
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books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors; provided that the same occurs during normal business hours after reasonable notice and does not materially interfere with the business of the Company; provided further that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any information that is reasonably designated by the Company as confidential at the time of delivery shall be kept confidential by such persons subject to customary exceptions;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary and to the extent required by applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective and Available pursuant to the terms of this Article 5;
(iii) if requested by the lead managing underwriters, promptly include in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the lead managing underwriters, if any, and such holders may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 5.04(a)(iii) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;
(iv) furnish to the Selling Holders and each underwriter, if any, of the securities being sold by such Selling Holders such number of conformed copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto, such number of copies of the prospectus and any prospectus supplement contained in or deemed part of such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus supplement) utilized in connection therewith and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Selling Holders and underwriters, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holders;
(v) use reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(vi) use reasonable efforts to provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
(vii) as promptly as practicable notify in writing the holders of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, of the following events: (A) the filing of the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement utilized in connection therewith, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; (B) any request by the SEC or any other U.S. or state governmental authority for amendments or
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supplements to such Registration Statement or the prospectus or for additional information; (C) the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings by any person for that purpose; (D) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose; (E) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) related to such registration cease to be true and correct in any material respect; and (F) upon the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such registration statement, prospectus or documents so that, in the case of such Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, in the case of clause (F), that such notice need not include the nature or details concerning such events;
(viii) use reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest reasonable practicable date, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (viii) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(ix) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; and
(x) prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the applicable state securities or blue sky laws of those jurisdictions within the United States as any holder reasonably requests in writing to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective until the Registration Termination Date; provided, that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (xi) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;
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(xi) use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry securities representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to the Registration Statements, which certificates or book-entry securities shall be free, to the extent permitted by applicable law, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such holders may request in writing; and in connection therewith, if required by the Companys transfer agent, the Company will promptly after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement cause to be delivered to its transfer agent when and as required by such transfer agent from time to time, any authorizations, certificates, directions and other evidence required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without legend upon sale by the holder of such shares of Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement; and
(xii) agrees with each holder of Registrable Securities that, in connection with any Underwritten Offering or other resale pursuant to the Registration Statement in accordance with the terms hereof, it will use reasonable efforts to negotiate in good faith and execute all customary indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements (in each case on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company), including using reasonable efforts to procure customary legal opinions and auditor comfort letters.
(b) The Company may require each Selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, to (i) furnish the Company in writing such information regarding each Selling Holder or underwriter and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing to complete or amend the information required by such Registration Statement and/or any other documents relating to such registered offering, and (ii) execute and deliver, or cause the execution or delivery of, and to perform under, or cause the performance under, any agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate such registered offering, including, without limitation, opinions of counsel and questionnaires. If the Company requests that the holders of Registrable Securities take any of the actions referred to in this Section 5.04(b), such holders shall take such action promptly and as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of such request.
(c) Each Selling Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clauses (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) of Section 5.04(a)(vii), such Selling Holder shall forthwith discontinue such Selling Holders disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement and prospectus relating thereto until such Selling Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cure the events described in clauses (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) of Section 5.04(a)(vii) so that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed at the earliest reasonably practicable moment.
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Section 5.05. Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with a registration pursuant to this Article 5 and any Rule 144A offering pursuant to Section 5.03(d); provided that each holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering shall pay any applicable underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, agency fees, brokers commissions and transfer taxes, if any, on the Registrable Securities sold by such holder and similar charges.
Section 5.06. Registration Indemnification.
(a) The Company agrees, without limitation as to time, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Selling Holder and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys, advisors and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such Selling Holder or such other indemnified Person and the officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys, advisors and agents of each such controlling Person, each underwriter, if any, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such underwriter (collectively, the Indemnified Persons), from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, the Losses), as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus, in each case related to such Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (without limitation of the preceding portions of this Section 5.06(a)) will reimburse each such Selling Holder, each of its Affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys, advisors and agents and each such Person who controls each such Selling Holder and the officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys, advisors and agents of each such controlling Person, each such underwriter and each such Person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, Loss, damage, liability or action, except insofar as the same are caused by any information regarding a holder of Registrable Securities or underwriter furnished in writing to the Company by any such person or any Selling Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Selling Holder is participating, without limitation as to time, each such Selling Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors and officers, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (without limitation of the preceding portions of this Section 5.06(b)) will reimburse the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the
37
Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, Loss, damage, liability or action, in each case solely to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding the Selling Holder furnished to the Company by such Selling Holder for inclusion in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.
(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice on a timely basis.
(d) In any case in which any such action is brought against any indemnified party, the indemnified party shall promptly notify in writing the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and acknowledging the obligations of the indemnifying party with respect to such proceeding, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, supervision and monitoring (unless (i) such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there may be defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party and, as a result, a conflict of interest exists or (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and the indemnified party is or would reasonably be expected to be materially prejudiced by such delay, in either event the indemnified party shall be promptly reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the expenses incurred in connection with retaining one separate legal counsel (for the avoidance of doubt, for all indemnified parties in connection therewith)). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any such assumption by an indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such matter and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party except as provided in the previous sentence. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim effected without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). No matter shall be settled by an indemnifying party without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such claim or proceeding, (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party and (z) is settled solely for cash for which the indemnified party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The failure of an indemnified party to give notice to an indemnifying party of any action brought against such indemnified party shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent such failure adversely prejudices the indemnifying party.
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(e) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall survive the sale or other transfer of the Registrable Securities and the termination of this Agreement.
(f) If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons other than as specified therein, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, the Persons relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of its net proceeds from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to any actions or proceedings over the amount of any damages, indemnity or contribution that such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(g) The indemnification and contribution agreements contained in this Section 5.06 are in addition to any liability that the indemnifying party may have to the indemnified party and do not limit other provisions of this Agreement that provide for indemnification.
Section 5.07. Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144. For as long as any Investor or its Affiliates Beneficially Owns New Notes or any Company Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion thereof, to the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (including the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraphs (c)(1) and (i)(2) of Rule 144) and submit all required Interactive Data Files (as defined in Rule 11 of Regulation S-T of the SEC), and shall use reasonable efforts to take such further necessary action as any holder of Subject Securities may reasonably request in connection with the removal of any restrictive legend on such Subject Securities being sold, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell such Subject Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144 (including those referred to in subparagraph (i) of Rule 144).
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ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.01. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All covenants and agreements contained herein, other than those which by their terms apply in whole or in part at or after the Closing (which shall survive the Closing), shall terminate as of the Closing, provided nothing herein shall relieve any party of liability for any breach of such covenant or agreement before it terminated. The representations and warranties made herein shall survive for six (6) months following the Closing Date and shall then expire; provided that nothing herein shall relieve any party of liability for any inaccuracy or breach of such representation or warranty to the extent that any good faith allegation of such inaccuracy or breach is made in writing prior to such expiration.
Section 6.02. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, sent by overnight courier or sent via email (with receipt confirmed) as follows:
(a) | If to any Investor, to the notice information set forth on the signature page hereto: |
with a copy (which shall not constitute actual or constructive notice) to:
Milbank LLP
55 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
Attention: Eric R. Reimer; Casey T. Fleck
Email: ***@***; ***@***
(b) | If to the Company, to: |
Nikola Corporation
4141 E Broadway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Attn: Chief Legal Officer
Email:
with a copy (which will not constitute actual or constructive notice) to:
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
2550 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Attention: Stanley E. Pierson; Gabriella A. Lombardi; Julie Park
Email: | ***@***; ***@***; ***@*** |
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or to such other address or addresses as shall be designated in writing. All notices shall be deemed effective (a) when delivered personally (with written confirmation of receipt, by other than automatic means, whether electronic or otherwise), (b) when sent by email if received before 5:00 pm Eastern Time; or (c) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by overnight courier.
Section 6.03. Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries; Amendment.
(a) This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements set forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Transactions, supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the parties and their respective Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
(b) This Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer upon any person other than the parties hereto, their successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies hereunder, provided that (i) Section 4.09 and Section 5.06 shall be for the benefit of and fully enforceable by each of the Indemnified Persons; and (ii) Section 6.12 shall be for the benefit of and fully enforceable by each of the Specified Persons.
(c) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part at any time by an agreement in writing between the parties hereto executed in the same manner as this Agreement. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise by any party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
Section 6.04. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute any original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf) form, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature. The words execution, signed, signature, delivery, and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
Section 6.05. Public Announcements. The initial press release related to this Agreement and the Transactions shall be a press release to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Investors. Thereafter, either party may issue or make one or more press releases or public announcements related to this Agreement or the Transactions (in which case the other party shall (to the extent permitted by applicable law) have the right to review and reasonably comment on such press release or announcement prior to issuance, distribution or publication); provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any press release or other public announcement to the extent that it contains substantially the same factual information related to this Agreement and the
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Transactions as previously communicated publicly by one or more of the parties in accordance with this Section 6.05. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company may file this Agreement with the SEC and may provide information about the subject matter of this Agreement in connection with equity or debt issuances, share repurchases, or marketing, informational or reporting activities. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K (the Disclosure Document) within two Business Days after the execution of this Agreement, disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other material, nonpublic information regarding the Company that the Company provided to the Investors on or prior to the date hereof. Upon the filing of the Disclosure Document, to the Companys knowledge, no Investor shall be in possession of any material, nonpublic information regarding the Company received from the Company or any of its officers, directors, or employees or agents, and the Investors shall no longer be subject to any confidentiality or similar obligations under any current agreement, whether written or oral, with the Company or any of their respective affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 6.06. [Reserved.]
Section 6.07. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Companys successors and assigns and each Investors successors and assigns, and no other person; provided, that neither the Company nor any Investor may assign its respective rights or delegate its respective obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of the Company or such Investor, as applicable, whether by operation of law or otherwise, and any assignment by the Company or such Investor in contravention hereof shall be null and void; provided further that (i) any Investor may assign all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or, in the case of this Agreement, any portion thereof, to one or more Affiliates who execute and deliver to the Company a Joinder and a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, and any such assignee who executes and delivers to the Company a Joinder shall be deemed an Investor hereunder and have all the rights and obligations of such Investor so assigned; provided that no such assignment will relieve such assigning Investor of its obligations hereunder until the Closing has occurred; and (ii) if the Company consolidates or merges with or into any Person and Company Common Stock is, in whole or in part, converted into or exchanged for securities of a different issuer in a transaction that does not constitute a Change in Control, then as a condition to such transaction the Company will cause such issuer to assume all of the Companys rights and obligations under this Agreement in a written instrument delivered to such Investor.
Section 6.08. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. In addition, each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the other party hereto or its successors or assigns, may be brought and determined in the United
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States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New York State court sitting in New York City and hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, (i) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve in accordance with this Section 6.08(a), (ii) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from the jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (iii) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, any claim that (A) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (B) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (C) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts. Each of the parties hereby agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the respective addresses set forth in Section 6.02 shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 6.08.
Section 6.09. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect provided that the economic and legal substance of, any of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. In the event of any such determination, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to fulfill as closely as possible the original intent and purpose hereof. To the extent permitted by law, the parties hereby to the same extent waive any provision of law that renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.
Section 6.10. Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each party agrees that in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any other party of any covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement, the non-breaching party shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it, whether in law or equity) to obtain (i) a decree or order of specific performance to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant or obligation, and (ii) an injunction restraining such breach or threatened breach. Each of the parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that any other party has an adequate remedy at law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or in equity. Any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.
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Section 6.11. Headings. The headings of Articles and Sections contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
Section 6.12. Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may only be brought against the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any Person that executes and delivers a Joinder). Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partners, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative of any party hereto or any of such partys Affiliates (collectively, the Specified Persons) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of any party hereto under this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby. All obligations of any Investor hereunder shall be several obligations of such Investor and, for the avoidance of doubt, not joint or joint and several obligations.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto or by their respective duly authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.
NIKOLA CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Kim Brady | |
Name: Kim Brady | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Kim Brady | |
Name: Kim Brady | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto or by their respective duly authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.
ANTARA CAPITAL LP, on behalf of certain advised or managed funds and accounts | ||
By: | /s/ Himanshu Gulati | |
Name: Himanshu Gulati | ||
Title: CIO / Founder | ||
Notice Information:
Address: | ||
55 Hudson Yards Suite 47C | ||
New York, NY 10001 |
[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]
SCHEDULE 1
INVESTORS
Investor | Principal Amount of Exchanged Notes | Principal Amount of New Notes | ||||||
Antara Capital LP, on behalf of certain advised or managed funds and accounts | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 100,000,000 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF JOINDER
___________, 20__
The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder pursuant to that certain Exchange and Investment Agreement dated as of [], 2023 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the Exchange Agreement) by and among Nikola Corporation and the other parties listed therein and any other Persons who become a party thereto in accordance with the terms thereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Exchange Agreement.
By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Exchange Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Exchange Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof, to become a party to, and to be bound by and comply with the provisions of, the Exchange Agreement applicable to the Investor in the same manner as if the undersigned were the original Investor signatory to the Exchange Agreement.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections 5.02, 5.03, 5.07, 5.08 and 5.12 of the Exchange Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.
[Signature pages follow]
A-1
Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the first date written above.
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: | ||
Email: |
[Signature Page to Joinder]
EXHIBIT B
Exchanging Investor: |
Investor Address: |
Telephone: |
Email Address: |
Country of Residence: |
Taxpayer Identification Number: |
Account for Withdrawal of Exchanged Notes: |
DTC Participant Number: |
DTC Participant Name: |
DTC Participant Phone Number: |
DTC Participant Contact Email: |
FFC Account #: |
Account # at Bank/Broker: |
Account for New Notes (if different from Exchanged Notes: |
DTC Participant Number: |
DTC Participant Name: |
DTC Participant Phone Number: |
DTC Participant Contact Email: |
FFC Account #: |
Account # at Bank/Broker: |
B-1
Exchange Procedures
NOTICE TO INVESTOR
These are the Exchange Procedures for the settlement of the exchange of Exchanged Notes for the Exchanged Shares (as defined in and pursuant to the Agreement between you and the Company). To ensure timely settlement for the Shares, please follow the instructions as set forth below.
To deliver Exchanged Notes:
You must direct the eligible DTC participant through which you hold a beneficial interest in the Exchanged Notes to post, no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date, a one-sided withdrawal request for the Exchanged Notes through the DTC via DWAC for transfer to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association the aggregate principal amount1 of Exchanged Notes set forth in column 2 of Schedule 1 of the Exchange Agreement. It is important that this instruction be submitted and the DWAC posted on the Closing Date no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
To receive New Notes:
You must direct your eligible DTC participant through which you wish to hold a beneficial interest in the New Notes to be issued upon exchange to post and accept on the Closing Date, no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, a one-sided deposit instruction through DTC via DWAC from U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association for the aggregate principal amount2 of New Notes set forth in column 3 of Schedule 1 of the Exchange Agreement that are deliverable in respect of the Exchanged Notes. It is important that this instruction be submitted and the DWAC posted on the Closing Date no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
You must comply with both procedures described above in order to complete the Exchange and to receive the New Notes in respect of the Exchanged Notes.
Closing: On the Closing Date, after the Company receives your delivery instructions as set forth above and a withdrawal request in respect of the Exchanged Notes has been posted as specified above, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing as set forth in your Exchange Agreement, the Company will deliver the New Notes in respect of the Exchanged Notes in accordance with the delivery instructions above.
1 | Note that the DWAC instruction should specify the principal amount, not the number, of Exchanged Notes. |
2 | Note that the DWAC instruction should specify the principal amount, not the number, of New Notes. |
B-2
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
NIKOLA CORPORATION,
as the Company,
NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION,
as Guarantor
AND
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
[], 2023
8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of [], 2023 (this Supplemental Indenture), among NIKOLA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the Company), NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as guarantor (the Guarantor), and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the Trustee), to the Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2022 (the Original Indenture), among the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee.
WHEREAS, the Company and the Guarantor have heretofore executed and delivered the Original Indenture, pursuant to which the Company issued its 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the Notes) and the Guarantor guaranteed the Notes;
WHEREAS, the Company has solicited consents (each a Consent and collectively the Consents) from each of the Holders to amend the Original Indenture and the Notes as set forth in Article II of this Supplemental Indenture (the Amendments) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in such Consents;
WHEREAS, Section 10.02 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Original Indenture to make certain changes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and certain other changes with the consent of each Holder of the Notes then outstanding, including changes that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes;
WHEREAS, the Company has received and delivered to the Trustee written evidence of the Consents from each of the Holders of the Notes to effect the Amendments;
C-1
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company by resolutions adopted on March 29, 2023 has duly authorized, on behalf of the Company, this Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee has received an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as contemplated by Section 10.05 of the Original Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture and has satisfied all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms.
WITNESSETH:
NOW THEREFORE, each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions in this Supplemental Indenture. Unless otherwise specified herein or the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term defined in the Original Indenture has the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Indenture unless the definition of such term is amended or supplemented pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture;
(b) the terms defined in this Article and in this Supplemental Indenture include the plural as well as the singular;
(c) unless otherwise stated, a reference to a Section or Article is to a Section or Article of this Supplemental Indenture; and
(d) the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL INDENTURE
Section 2.1. The Original Indenture is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:
(a) Section 1.01 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and supplemented by inserting the following additional definitions to such Section in the appropriate alphabetical order:
2
Authorized Share Effective Date means the date on which the Company has amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to allow for the reservation of at least a number of shares of Company Common Stock as needed upon initial conversion of all 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 of the Company issued pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of [], 2023, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and all Notes.
Conversion Trigger Date shall mean the earlier of (a) the date on which the Authorized Share Effective Date has occurred and (b) [], 2023.
(b) The first sentence of clause (d) of Section 4.06 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
If, at any time during the period from, and including, the date that is six months after the Last Date of Original Issuance of any Note, the Company has not satisfied the reporting conditions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the requirement for current Form 10 information) set forth in Rule 144(c) and (i)(2) under the Securities Act, or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Companys Affiliates or Holders that were the Companys Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding (as a result of restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes.
(c) Section 14.01(a) of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
(a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holders option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof) of such Note (i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b) (provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (i), no Holder may so convert all or any portion of any such Note (other than subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b)(iii)) prior to the Conversion Trigger Date), and (ii) regardless of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), on or after February 28, 2026 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in each case, at an initial conversion rate of 114.3602 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate) per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the Conversion Obligation).
3
(d) Section 14.02(a) of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by inserting the following sentence at the end thereof (which for the avoidance of doubt shall precede clause (i) of such Section):
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Indenture or the Notes, the Company shall be required to (and shall otherwise be deemed to) elect Cash Settlement in respect of all Notes submitted for conversion unless and until the Authorized Share Effective Date has occurred.
(e) Section 14.06 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid. After the Authorized Share Effective Date, the Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion (assuming delivery of the maximum number of Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03 and that at the time of computation of such number of shares, all such Notes would be converted by a single Holder and that Physical Settlement is applicable).
(f) The first sentence of clause (d) of Section 16.02 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, at least $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes must be outstanding and not subject to Optional Redemption as of the date of the relevant Redemption Notice (such requirement, the Partial Redemption Limitation).
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.1. Operativeness of Amendments. This Supplemental Indenture will become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by the parties hereto.
Section 3.2. Ratification of Original Indenture. The Original Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Original Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.
Section 3.3. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. All of the provisions contained in the Original Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, indemnities, immunities, powers, and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of this Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like force and effect as though set forth in full herein.
4
Section 3.4. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF).
Section 3.5. Execution in Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, PDF or such other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. Unless otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture or in any Note, the words execute, execution, signed and signature and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
NIKOLA CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION, as Guarantor | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF NEW INDENTURE
NIKOLA CORPORATION,
as the Company,
THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,
as Guarantors
AND
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of [●], 2023
8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026
D-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE 1 | ||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||
Section 1.01. Definitions | 2 | |||
Section 1.02. References to Interest | 20 | |||
ARTICLE 2 | ||||
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES | ||||
Section 2.01. Designation and Amount | 21 | |||
Section 2.02. Form of Notes | 21 | |||
Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts | 22 | |||
Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes | 25 | |||
Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary | 26 | |||
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes | 32 | |||
Section 2.07. Temporary Notes | 33 | |||
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. | 34 | |||
Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers | 34 | |||
Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases | 34 | |||
ARTICLE 3 | ||||
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | ||||
Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge | 35 | |||
ARTICLE 4 | ||||
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY | ||||
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest | 35 | |||
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency | 36 | |||
Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office | 36 | |||
Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent | 36 | |||
Section 4.05. Existence | 38 | |||
Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports | 38 | |||
Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 39 | |||
Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults | 40 | |||
Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts | 40 | |||
Section 4.10. Limitation on Secured Debt | 40 |
i
ARTICLE 5 | ||||
LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE | ||||
Section 5.01. Lists of Holders | 41 | |||
Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists | 41 | |||
ARTICLE 6 | ||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | ||||
Section 6.01. Events of Default | 41 | |||
Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment | 43 | |||
Section 6.03. Additional Interest | 45 | |||
Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor | 46 | |||
Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee | 47 | |||
Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders | 48 | |||
Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee | 49 | |||
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing | 49 | |||
Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders | 50 | |||
Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults | 50 | |||
Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs | 50 | |||
ARTICLE 7 | ||||
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | ||||
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | 51 | |||
Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. | 53 | |||
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. | 54 | |||
Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes | 54 | |||
Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust | 54 | |||
Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee | 54 | |||
Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence | 55 | |||
Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee | 55 | |||
Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee | 56 | |||
Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee | 57 | |||
Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. | 57 | |||
Section 7.12. Trustees Application for Instructions from the Company | 58 | |||
ARTICLE 8 | ||||
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS | ||||
Section 8.01. Action by Holders | 58 | |||
Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders | 59 | |||
Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners | 59 | |||
Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded | 59 | |||
Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound | 60 |
ii
ARTICLE 9 | ||||
HOLDERS MEETINGS | ||||
Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings | 60 | |||
Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee | 61 | |||
Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders | 60 | |||
Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting | 61 | |||
Section 9.05. Regulations | 61 | |||
Section 9.06. Voting | 62 | |||
Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting | 62 | |||
ARTICLE 10 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | ||||
Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 63 | |||
Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 64 | |||
Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 65 | |||
Section 10.04. Notation on Notes | 65 | |||
Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee | 66 | |||
ARTICLE 11 | ||||
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE | ||||
Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms | 66 | |||
Section 11.02. Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms | 66 | |||
Section 11.03. Successor Company to Be Substituted | 67 | |||
Section 11.04. Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee | 68 | |||
ARTICLE 12 | ||||
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | ||||
Section 12.01. Indenture, Notes and Note Guarantees Solely Corporate Obligations | 68 | |||
ARTICLE 13 | ||||
GUARANTEES | ||||
Section 13.01. Guarantees | 68 | |||
Section 13.02. No Subrogation | 70 | |||
Section 13.03. Consideration | 70 | |||
Section 13.04. Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 70 | |||
Section 13.05. Execution and Delivery | 71 | |||
Section 13.06. Release of Guarantors | 71 | |||
Section 13.07. Future Guarantors | 72 |
iii
ARTICLE 14 | ||||
CONVERSION OF NOTES | ||||
Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege | 72 | |||
Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion | 77 | |||
Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or Called Notes During a Redemption Period | 83 | |||
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate | 85 | |||
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices | 95 | |||
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid | 95 | |||
Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock | 95 | |||
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants | 97 | |||
Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee | 98 | |||
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions | 98 | |||
Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans | 99 | |||
Section 14.12. Exchange In Lieu Of Conversion | 99 | |||
ARTICLE 15 | ||||
REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS | ||||
Section 15.01. Intentionally Omitted. | 100 | |||
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction | 100 | |||
Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice | 103 | |||
Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price | 104 | |||
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes | 104 | |||
ARTICLE 16 | ||||
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION | ||||
Section 16.01. Optional Redemption | 105 | |||
Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes | 105 | |||
Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption | 106 | |||
Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption | 107 | |||
ARTICLE 17 | ||||
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | ||||
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Companys and Guarantors Successors | 107 | |||
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity | 107 | |||
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. | 107 |
iv
Section 17.04. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction | 109 | ||||
Section 17.05. | Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee | 109 | ||||
Section 17.06. | Legal Holidays | 110 | ||||
Section 17.07. | No Security Interest Created | 110 | ||||
Section 17.08. | Benefits of Indenture | 110 | ||||
Section 17.09. | Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 110 | ||||
Section 17.10. | Authenticating Agent | 110 | ||||
Section 17.11. | Execution in Counterparts | 111 | ||||
Section 17.12. | Severability | 112 | ||||
Section 17.13. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 112 | ||||
Section 17.14. | Force Majeure | 112 | ||||
Section 17.15. | Calculations | 112 | ||||
Section 17.16. | USA PATRIOT Act | 113 | ||||
Section 17.17. | No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders | 113 | ||||
EXHIBITS | ||||||
Exhibit A | Form of Note | A-1 | ||||
Exhibit B | Form of Notational Guarantee | B-1 |
v
INDENTURE, dated as of [●], 2023 among NIKOLA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the Company, as more fully set forth in Section 1.01), the Guarantors party hereto from time to time and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the Trustee, as more fully set forth in Section 1.01).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the Notes), and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided;
WHEREAS, the Notes will be guaranteed on a senior basis by the Guarantors party hereto and each of the Companys existing and future Domestic Subsidiaries other than any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to the extent required herein, and each of the Guarantors party hereto has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the issuance of its Note Guarantee; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, and this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes and the Note Guarantees have in all respects been duly authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Guarantors party hereto covenant and agree with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words herein, hereof, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.
Additional Interest means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03, as applicable.
Additional Shares shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, control, when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the determination of whether one Person is an Affiliate of another Person for purposes of this Indenture shall be made based on the facts at the time such determination is made or required to be made, as the case may be, hereunder.
Agreed Guarantee Principles shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.04.
Authorized Share Effective Date means the date on which the Company has amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to allow for the reservation of at least such number of shares of Company Common Stock as needed upon initial conversion of all 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 of the Company issued pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2022, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and all Notes.
Bid Solicitation Agent means the Company or the Person appointed by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(i). The Company shall initially act as the Bid Solicitation Agent, but the Company may appoint another Person as the Bid Solicitation Agent without prior notice to the Holders.
Board of Directors means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
2
Board Resolution means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
Business Day means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
Called Notes means Notes called for redemption pursuant to Article 16 or subject to a Deemed Redemption.
Cap Percentage means 19.9% minus the percentage of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Capital Lease means, with respect to any Person, any lease of any property which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
Capital Stock means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.
Capitalization Amount means, for any Interest PIK Date, an amount per Note equal to the interest accrued on the principal amount of such Note as of the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (or, if there is no immediately preceding Interest Payment Date, the interest accrued on the Initial Principal Amount) and not paid in cash, calculated at the PIK Interest Rate on the principal amount of such Note for which interest is not paid in cash for the period from, and including, such immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (or, if there is no immediately preceding Interest Payment Date, from, and including, the issue date of such Notes or such other date from which such Note bears interest as stated on such Note) to, but excluding, such Interest PIK Date.
Capitalization Method shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03(d)(i).
Capitalized Principal Amount means, for any date, the principal amount per Note equal to the Initial Principal Amount of such Note, as increased on each Interest PIK Date occurring on or prior to such date by the Capitalization Amount for such Interest PIK Date, if any. When the term principal amount of any Note is used herein, such references shall be deemed to be references to the Capitalized Principal Amount of such Note, unless the context otherwise requires.
Cash Interest Rate means 8.00% per annum.
Cash Method shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03(d)(i).
Cash Settlement shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
3
Change in Control Transaction means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined below and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition) under clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the definition thereof.
Clause A Distribution shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Clause B Distribution shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Clause C Distribution shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
close of business means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).
Combination Settlement shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
Commission means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Equity of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.
Common Stock means the common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share, at the date of this Indenture, subject to Section 14.07.
Company shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.
Company Order means a written order of the Company, signed by any of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
Conversion Agent shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
Conversion Consideration shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).
Conversion Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).
Conversion Obligation shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
Conversion Price means as of any time, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such time.
Conversion Rate shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
Conversion Share Cap means the Cap Percentage of the Common Stock outstanding at March 28, 2023 (with such number of outstanding shares subject to proportionate adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits or stock combinations with respect to the Common Stock subsequent to the date hereof).
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Conversion Trigger Date shall mean the earlier of (a) the date on which the Authorized Share Effective Date has occurred and (b) [●], 2023.
Corporate Trust Office means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, West Side Flats, St. Paul, 60 Livingston Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55107, Attention Global Corporate Trust, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the designated corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company). With respect to presentation of Notes for payment, registration of transfer or exchange, such office shall be U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, Global Corporate Trust, 111 Fillmore Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55107.
Custodian means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
Daily Conversion Value means, for each of the 25 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, 4.0% of the product of (a) the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day and (b) the Daily VWAP on such Trading Day.
Daily Measurement Value means the Specified Dollar Amount (if any), divided by 25.
Daily Settlement Amount, for each of the 25 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, shall consist of:
(a) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Daily Measurement Value and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day; and
(b) if the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day exceeds the Daily Measurement Value, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day.
Daily VWAP means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on Bloomberg page NKLA <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The Daily VWAP shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
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Debt means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(1) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;
(2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(3) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances or other similar instruments;
(4) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services which are recorded as liabilities under GAAP, excluding trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business;
(5) all obligations of such Person as lessee under any Capital Lease;
(6) all Debt of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent so Guaranteed;
(7) all Debt of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; and
(8) all obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements.
The amount of Debt of any Person will be deemed to be:
(A) with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation;
(B) with respect to any Hedging Agreement, the net amount payable if such Hedging Agreement terminated at that time due to default by such Person; or
(C) otherwise, the outstanding principal amount thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Debt shall not include:
(1) any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) accounted for as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP;
(2) contingent obligations in the ordinary course of business, other than Guarantees or other assumptions of Debt;
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(3) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments or purchase price holdbacks to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet, such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing or to satisfy warranties or other unperformed obligations of the applicable seller; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner;
(4) deferred or prepaid revenues in the ordinary course of business;
(5) accrued expenses, accounts payables, taxes payable and other short-term payables in the ordinary course of business; or
(6) any contingent obligations in respect of workers compensation claims, early retirement or termination obligations, pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions or social security or wage taxes.
Deemed Redemption shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(v).
Default means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
Defaulted Amounts means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.
delivered with respect to any notice to be delivered, given or mailed to a Holder pursuant to this Indenture, shall mean notice (x) given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices or procedures at the Depositary (in the case of a Global Note) or (y) mailed to such Holder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register, in each case in accordance with Section 17.03. Notice so delivered shall be deemed to include any notice to be mailed or given, as applicable, under this Indenture.
Depositary means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(c) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, Depositary shall mean or include such successor.
Designated Institution shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).
Distributed Property shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state or commonwealth of the United States or under the laws of the District of Columbia.
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Effective Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c), except that, as used in Section 14.04 and Section 14.05, Effective Date means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.
Equity Interests means (a) for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity; provided, however, that Equity Interests does not include any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Equity Interests described in clause (a) of this definition or for Equity Interests described in clause (a) of this definition and/or cash based on the value of such Equity Interests.
Event of Default shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
Ex-Dividend Date means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of the Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Election shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).
Form of Assignment and Transfer means the Form of Assignment and Transfer attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice means the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Form of Note means the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Form of Notice of Conversion means the Form of Notice of Conversion attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Fundamental Change shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs prior to the Maturity Date:
(a) a person or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of the Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock;
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(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision, a combination or solely a change in par value) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more of the Companys Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Companys Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving Person or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b);
(c) the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(d) the Common Stock ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors);
provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (a) or (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the common stockholders of the Company, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters statutory appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible (assuming Physical Settlement) into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters statutory appraisal rights (subject to the provisions of Section 14.07). If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change but for the proviso immediately following clause (d) of this definition, following the effective date of such transaction) references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity.
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For purposes of this definition of Fundamental Change, any transaction that constitutes a Fundamental Change pursuant to both clause (a) and clause (b) (excluding the proviso to such clause (b)) of such definition shall be deemed a Fundamental Change solely under clause (b) of such definition (subject to such proviso).
Fundamental Change Company Notice shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).
Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).
Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.
Global Note shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).
Guarantee means, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof, in whole or in part; provided that the term Guarantee does not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term Guarantee used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guarantors means each of (i) the Guarantors party hereto and (ii) any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and its successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Guarantors shall not include any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary unless the Company otherwise elects to include such Subsidiary as a Guarantor.
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Hedging Agreement means (i) any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates; (ii) any foreign exchange forward contract, currency swap agreement or other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates or (iii) any commodity or raw material futures contract or any other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in raw material prices.
Holder, as applied to any Note, or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register.
Immaterial Subsidiary means, as of any determination date, any Subsidiary that (a) has not Guaranteed any other indebtedness of the Company and (b) has consolidated total assets and revenues of less than 5.0% of consolidated total assets or revenues, as the case may be, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, has consolidated total assets and revenues of less than 10.0% of consolidated total assets or revenues, as the case may be, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as determined in accordance with GAAP and measured based on the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which consolidated financial statements have been delivered under this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.06 with total assets calculated as of the end of such fiscal quarter and revenues calculated for the four such most recently ended fiscal quarters. Such calculations will give pro forma effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, division or lines of business since such balance sheet date or the start of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable.
Indenture means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.
Initial Principal Amount of any Note means the principal amount of such Note at the time of original issuance of such Note. For the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Principal Amount of each minimum denomination of Notes on their issue date shall be $1.00.
Interest Payment Date means each May 31 and November 30 of each year, beginning on May 31, 2023.
Interest PIK Date means each Interest Payment Date with respect to which the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to pay interest accrued on the Notes to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date by the Capitalization Method pursuant to Section 2.03(d) hereof.
Investment Agreement means the Exchange and Investment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, by and among the Company and the parties thereto.
Last Date of Original Issuance means (A) with respect to any Notes issued pursuant to the Investment Agreement and any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, the initial issuance date of the Notes; and (B) with respect to any additional Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.10, and any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, either (i) the date such Notes are originally issued or (ii) such other date as is specified in an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee before the original issuance of such Notes.
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Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock (or other security for which a Last Reported Sale Price must be determined) on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the last bid and last ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average last bid and the average last ask prices per share) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is traded. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the Last Reported Sale Price shall be the last quoted bid price per share for the Common Stock (or such other security) in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so quoted, the Last Reported Sale Price shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices per share for the Common Stock (or such other security) on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose. The Last Reported Sale Price shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of regular trading session hours.
Lien means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other similar encumbrance of any kind whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease).
Make-Whole Fundamental Change means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined above and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof).
Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
Market Disruption Event means (a) a failure by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts traded on any U.S. exchange relating to the Common Stock.
Maturity Date means May 31, 2026.
Measurement Period shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(i).
Merger Event shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
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Minimum Specified Amount shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary means any Immaterial Subsidiary.
Note or Notes shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.
Note Guarantee means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Companys Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.
Note Register shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).
Note Registrar shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).
Notice of Conversion shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).
Obligations shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.01.
Observation Period with respect to any Note surrendered for conversion means: (i) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant Conversion Date occurs prior to February 28, 2026, the 25 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately succeeding such Conversion Date; (ii) with respect to any Called Notes, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, the 25 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 26th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 28, 2026, the 25 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 26th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.
Officer means, with respect to the Company or any other obligor under the Notes, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer or General Counsel, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title Vice President) of such Person.
Officers Certificate, when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate that is delivered to the Trustee and that is signed by an Officer of the Company. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section. The Officer giving an Officers Certificate pursuant to Section 4.08 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
open of business means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).
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Opinion of Counsel means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that is delivered to the Trustee, which opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications as to the matters set forth therein. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 17.05.
Optional Redemption shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.01.
outstanding, when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);
(c) Notes that have been paid pursuant to Section 2.06 or Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course;
(d) Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08;
(e) Notes redeemed pursuant to Article 16; and
(f) Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 2.10.
Partial Redemption Limitation shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(d).
Paying Agent shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
Permitted Lien means:
(1) any Lien securing Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company owing to the Company or to any of its Subsidiaries;
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(2) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmens, workmens or repairmens, carriers, warehousemens and mechanics Liens or other similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue by more than 30 calendar days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(4) pledges or deposits under workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts or leases, or to secure public or statutory obligations, surety bonds, customs duties and the like, or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and not securing Debt;
(5) Liens consisting of easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property, and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlords Liens and other similar Liens none of which interfere materially with the use of the property covered thereby in the ordinary course of business and which do not, in the Companys opinion, materially detract from the value of such properties;
(6) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the proceeds thereof;
(7) Liens on assets pursuant to merger agreements, stock or asset purchase agreements and similar agreements in respect of the disposition of such assets;
(8) judgment liens incurred as a result of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, so long as no Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) then exists as a result thereof;
(9) Liens on property (including Capital Stock (as defined in the Indenture)) of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such merger or consolidation, were not incurred in contemplation thereof and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary;
(10) Liens in the ordinary course of business on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;
(11) Liens on cash (or the accounts in which such cash is held) or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Debt;
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(12) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds thereof) of any Person securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(13) leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets in the ordinary course of business and Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of assets entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(14) (i) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Company or any Subsidiary has easement rights or on any real property leased by the Company or any Subsidiary and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto and (ii) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings or compulsory purchase order affecting real property;
(15) Liens securing or arising by reason of any netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of banking or other trading activities; or
(16) pledges of goods, the related documents of title and/or other related documents arising or created in the ordinary course of business or operations as Liens only for Debt to a bank or financial institution directly relating to the goods or documents on or over which the pledge exists.
Person means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
Physical Notes means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in denominations of $1.00 principal amount and integral multiples thereof.
Physical Settlement shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
PIK Interest means any interest paid pursuant to Section 2.03(d) by the Capitalization Method.
PIK Interest Rate means 11.00% per annum.
PIK Notes shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03(d)(ii).
PIK Payment means the payment of any PIK Interest on the Notes.
Predecessor Note of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.
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Record Date means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Company, by statute, by contract or otherwise).
Redemption Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
Redemption Notice shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
Redemption Notice Date means the date on which a Redemption Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 16.02.
Redemption Period means the period from, and including, the relevant Redemption Notice Date until the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the related Redemption Date.
Redemption Price means, for any Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 16.01, 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of such Notes, plus any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (unless the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, in which case interest accrued to the Interest Payment Date will be paid in cash at the Cash Interest Rate to Holders of record of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date (notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by the Company to pay such interest pursuant to the Capitalization Method), and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of such Notes).
Reference Property shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a)(iv).
Regular Record Date, with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the May 15 or November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable May 31 or November 30 Interest Payment Date, respectively.
Requisite Stockholder Approval means the stockholder approval contemplated by Nasdaq Rule 5635 with respect to the issuance, in the aggregate, of Common Stock in excess of the limitations imposed by such rule (a) pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement and (B) upon conversion of the Notes; provided, however, that the Requisite Stockholder Approval shall be deemed to be obtained if, due to any amendment or binding change in the interpretation of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards, such stockholder approval is no longer required for the Company to settle all conversions of the Notes by Physical Settlement, assuming, for these purposes, that the Conversion Rate is increased by the maximum amount pursuant to which the Conversion Rate may be increased pursuant to Section 14.03.
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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 Securities shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
Rule 144 means Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.
Scheduled Trading Day means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, Scheduled Trading Day means a Business Day.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Settlement Amount has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iv).
Settlement Method means, with respect to any conversion of Notes, Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement, as elected (or deemed to have been elected) by the Company.
Settlement Notice has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).
Significant Subsidiary means a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the definition of significant subsidiary in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission (or any successor rule).
Specified Dollar Amount means the maximum cash amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes to be received upon conversion (excluding cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock) as specified in the Settlement Notice related to any converted Notes (or deemed specified pursuant to Section 14.02(a)).
Spin-Off shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Stock Price shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).
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Stock Purchase Agreement means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 29, 2023, between the Company and the investors listed on Schedule 1 thereto.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Successor Company shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a).
Trading Day means, except for determining amounts due upon conversion as set forth below, a day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Common Stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market; provided that if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, Trading Day means a Business Day; and provided, further, that for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, Trading Day means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on The Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading, except that if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, Trading Day means a Business Day.
Trading Price of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $1,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $1,000,000 principal amount of Notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer on any determination date, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on such determination date shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on such determination date.
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transfer shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
Trigger Event shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term Trust Indenture Act shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.
Trustee means the Person named as the Trustee in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter Trustee shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.
unit of Reference Property shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
Valuation Period shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to more than 50% in the definition of Subsidiary shall be deemed replaced by a reference to 100%; the calculation of which shall exclude nominal amounts of the voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests in the relevant Subsidiary not held by such Person to the extent required to satisfy local minority interest requirements outside of the United States.
Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company that is a Domestic Subsidiary.
Section 1.02. References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, (x) any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03; (y) any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; and (z) any reference to accrued interest on, or in respect of, any Note that has not been paid or capitalized in this Indenture shall be deemed to refer to the amount of such interest that would have accrued as of the relevant time at the applicable Cash Interest Rate as if the Company had elected the Cash Method in respect of all of the relevant interest (whether or not the Company actually elected the Cash Method and notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by the Company to pay such interest pursuant to the Capitalization Method).
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ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES
Section 2.01. Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and issued under this Indenture is limited to $100,000,000 in the aggregate, together with PIK Notes issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. The aggregate Initial Principal Amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $100,000,000, subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon the issuance of PIK Notes or registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes to the extent permitted hereunder.
Section 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company, 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. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and a Note, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict.
Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect PIK Interest, redemptions, repurchases, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or
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the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the Company or the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.
Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts. (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1.00 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. PIK Interest on the Notes shall be paid in minimum denominations of $1.00 and integral multiples thereof, rounded up to the nearest $1.00. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.
(b) The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. The Capitalized Principal Amount of any Note (x) in the case of any Physical Note, shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company designated by the Company for such purposes in the contiguous United States of America, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office and (y) in the case of any Global Note, shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company shall pay (or cause the Paying Agent to pay to the extent funded by the Company) cash interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each such Holder or, upon application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar (containing the requisite information for the Trustee or Paying Agent to make such wire transfer) not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holders account within the United States of America, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Note Registrar to the contrary or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
(c) Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
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(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or 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 Amounts as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be delivered to each Holder at its address as it appears in the Note Register, or by electronic means to the Depositary in the case of Global Notes, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been so delivered, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(d)
(i) The Company may, at its option, elect to pay interest on the Notes on any Interest Payment Date (i) by paying an amount in cash on such Interest Payment Date equal to all or a portion of interest accrued from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (or if there is no immediately preceding Interest Payment Date, from, and including, the issue date of such Notes or such other date from which such Note bears interest as stated on such Note) on the principal amount as of the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (or if there is no immediately preceding Interest Payment Date, on the Initial Principal Amount), calculated at the Cash Interest Rate (the Cash Method) and (ii) to the extent not paid by the Cash Method, by
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payment-in-kind, in the case of Global Notes, by increasing the principal amount of such Global Notes by the Capitalization Amount for such Interest Payment Date or, in the case of Physical Notes, by issuing PIK Notes in the form of Physical Notes (the Capitalization Method); provided that on any Interest Payment Date on which the Company pays interest using the Capitalization Method, the aggregate Capitalization Amount shall be rounded up to the nearest $1.00; and provided further that for any Notes (1) surrendered for conversion after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date; (2) redeemed in connection with a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (3) repurchased on a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, any Capitalization Amount that would have been paid as PIK Interest for such Notes on such corresponding Interest Payment Date shall instead be paid in cash at the Cash Interest Rate to the relevant Holder(s) of such Notes as of such Regular Record Date, and no such PIK Payment shall be made on account of such Notes (notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by the Company to pay such interest pursuant to the Capitalization Method for such Notes). The Company shall elect the method of paying interest on an Interest Payment Date by delivering a notice to the Trustee and Holders on or prior to the 15th calendar day immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date identifying the method selected and (a) the amount of cash interest to be paid and/or (b) the amount of PIK Interest to be paid, as applicable. In the absence of such an election with respect to an Interest Payment Date, the Company shall be deemed to have elected the Cash Method for all of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date. All interest payable in respect of the Interest Payment Date scheduled to occur on the Maturity Date shall be paid entirely by the Cash Method.
(ii) The Company shall make payments of interest by the Cash Method in accordance with Section 4.01 (and Section 2.03(c), in the case of Defaulted Amounts). The Company shall make payments of interest by the Capitalization Method, (x) if the Notes are represented by one or more Physical Notes, by issuing additional Physical Notes to the relevant record Holder on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the PIK Notes) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the relevant Capitalization Amount (rounded up to the nearest $1.00) and the Trustee will, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Notes in the form of Physical Notes for original issuance to the Holders on the relevant Regular Record Date, as shown by the records of the register of Holders, and (y) if the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of, or held by, the Depositary or its nominee on the relevant Regular Record Date, by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Global Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest $1.00), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will increase the principal amount of the outstanding Global Note by such amount. The issuance of any PIK Notes or the increase in the principal amount of the Global Note shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by a Holder. Following an increase in the principal amount of the outstanding Global Notes as
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a result of a PIK Payment, the Global Notes shall bear interest on such increased principal amount from and after the date of such PIK Payment. Any PIK Notes issued as Physical Notes shall be dated as of the applicable Interest Payment Date and shall bear interest from and after such date. All PIK Notes issued pursuant to a PIK Payment shall be governed by, and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of, this Indenture and shall have the same rights and benefits as the Notes issued on the initial issue date of such Notes. Any PIK Notes shall be issued with the description PIK on the face of such Note, and references to the principal amount of the Notes shall include any increase in the principal amount of the outstanding Notes as a result of any PIK Payment. The Notes issued on the initial issue date and any PIK Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of any of its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer or General Counsel, Treasurer, Secretary or any of its Executive or Senior Vice Presidents.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder; provided that, as set forth in and subject to Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company with respect to the issuance, authentication and delivery of such Notes.
Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, executed manually or by facsimile by an authorized officer of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the Officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such an Officer.
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Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the Note Register) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed the Note Registrar for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Physical Note to the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Physical Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.
Physical Notes may be exchanged for other Physical Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Physical Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Physical Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding. A holder of a beneficial interest in a note in a Global Note may transfer or exchange such beneficial interest in accordance with this Indenture and the applicable procedures of the Depositary.
All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Notes, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of new Notes issued upon such exchange or registration of transfer being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer or otherwise required by law.
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None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion, (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15 or (iii) any Notes selected for redemption in accordance with Article 16, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (iv) any Notes between a Regular Record Date and corresponding Interest Payment Date.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(b) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the fourth paragraph from the end of Section 2.05(c) all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form (each, a Global Note) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. Each Global Note shall bear the legend required on a Global Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.
(c) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (together with any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that is required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the Restricted Securities) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including those contained in the legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holders acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d), the term transfer encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.
Any certificate evidencing a Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), if applicable) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Notes have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee):
THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
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(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NIKOLA CORPORATION (THE COMPANY) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
No transfer of any Note will be registered by the Note Registrar unless the applicable box on the Form of Assignment and Transfer has been checked.
Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) (i) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become effective or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (ii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall
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not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the restrictive legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall notify the Trustee promptly after a registration statement, if any, with respect to the Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes has been declared effective under the Securities Act. Any exchange pursuant to the foregoing paragraph shall be in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(c)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) 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 and (ii) for exchange of a Global Note or a portion thereof for one or more Physical Notes in accordance with the second immediately succeeding paragraph.
The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.
If (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and, subject to the Depositarys applicable procedures, a beneficial owner of any Note requests that its beneficial interest therein be issued as a Physical Note, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers Certificate and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver (x) in the case of clause (iii), a Physical Note to such beneficial owner in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note corresponding to such beneficial owners beneficial interest and (y) in the case of clause (i) or (ii), Physical Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled.
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Physical Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, or, in the case of clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the relevant beneficial owner, shall instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Physical Notes to the Persons in whose names such Physical Notes are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, redeemed, repurchased or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Physical Notes, converted, canceled, redeemed, repurchased or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Notes therefor or any Physical Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.
None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or incur any liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interest in a Global Note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such beneficial ownership of those interests.
The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(d) Any stock certificate or book-entry representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless the Note or such Common Stock has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of Notes that have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):
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THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NIKOLA CORPORATION (THE COMPANY) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMPANYS COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
Any such Common Stock (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(d).
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(e) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exchange of a Note that is repurchased or owned by any Affiliate of the Company (or any Person who was an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months immediately preceding) may not be resold by such Affiliate (or such Person, as the case may be) unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such Note or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being a restricted security (as defined under Rule 144). The Company shall cause any Note that is repurchased or owned by it to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08.
(f) If a Holder of any Note or share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of any Note, or an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note, or in a global certificate representing any share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of any Note, transfers such Note or share in compliance with Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective registration statement and delivers to the Company a written request in customary form (including, if pursuant to Rule 144, a certification that it is not, and has not been at any time during the preceding three (3) months, an Affiliate of the Company) to reissue such Note or share without a restrictive legend, then the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to occur (and, if applicable, cause such Note or share to thereafter be represented by an unrestricted CUSIP or ISIN number in the facilities of the related depositary) within two (2) Business Days of such request.
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, claim, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Note, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance
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with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion, redemption or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion, redemption or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Physical Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes in registered form (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Physical Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Physical Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Physical Notes (other than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Physical Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.
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Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, repurchase, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee (including any of the Companys agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates), to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. All Notes delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled promptly by it, and, except for Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange, or as otherwise expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange therefor. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures and, after such disposition, shall deliver a certificate of such disposition to the Company upon the Companys written request in a Company Order. Except for Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Indenture.
Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in all notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such 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 on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases. The Company may, without the consent of or notice to the Holders, reopen this Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder (in addition to any PIK Notes) with the same terms as the Notes initially issued hereunder (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price, interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes and, if applicable, restrictions on transfer in respect of such additional Notes (including pursuant to Section 2.05 hereunder)) in an aggregate principal amount together with the Initial Principal Amount not to exceed $100,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax or securities law purposes, such additional Notes shall have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. Any additional Notes will be treated as a single series for all purposes under this Indenture except as set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.10. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to cover such matters, in addition to those required by Section 17.05, as the Trustee shall reasonably request. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a privately negotiated transaction or private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives, in each case, without prior written notice to or consent of the Holders. The Company shall cause any Notes so repurchased (other than Notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08 and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding under this Indenture upon their repurchase.
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ARTICLE 3
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall upon request of the Company contained in an Officers Certificate cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced, paid or converted as provided in Section 2.06 and (y) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.04(d)) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or with the Paying Agent or, with respect to the Companys Conversion Obligation, the Conversion Agent) or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after the Notes have become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, any Redemption Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as applicable, solely to satisfy the Conversion Obligation, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company and the Guarantors; and (b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Trustee under Section 7.06 shall survive.
ARTICLE 4
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and pay accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Section 4.01, Section 2.03(c), Section 2.03(d) and in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest payable by the Cash Method shall be considered paid on the date due if by 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and cash interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. Payments of interest by the Capitalization Method shall be considered paid if the Trustee has received the Company Order required by Section 2.03(d) and, in the case of Physical Notes, PIK Notes in the form of Physical Notes executed by a proper Officer of the Company.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to deduct or withhold from any principal, premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) payments with respect to the Notes hereunder, such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld with respect to the making of such payments under any applicable law. To the extent that any amounts are so deducted or withheld, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for purposes of this Indenture as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the contiguous United States of America an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or presented for payment or repurchase (Paying Agent) or for conversion (Conversion Agent) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company 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 or the office or agency of the Trustee in the contiguous United States of America.
The Company may also from time to time designate as co-Note Registrars 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 Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the contiguous United States of America for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms Paying Agent and Conversion Agent include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office as the office or agency in the contiguous United States of America where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or presented for payment or repurchase or for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.
Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:
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(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;
(ii) that it will give the Trustee prompt notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and
(iii) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum in immediately available U.S. Dollars sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent.
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(d) Any money and shares of Common Stock deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on and the consideration due upon conversion of any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), interest or consideration due upon conversion has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company contained in an Officers Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company and the Guarantors for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money and shares of Common Stock, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 11, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports. (a) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall, at such time, constitute restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and will, upon written request, provide to any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 144A.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 (or any successor rule) under the Exchange Act), copies of any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the Commission). Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commissions EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) at the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto), it being understood that the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made.
(c) Delivery of the reports and documents described in subsection (b) above 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 Companys and the Guarantors compliance with any of their respective covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officers Certificate).
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(d) If, at any time during the period from, and including, the date that is six months after the Last Date of Original Issuance of any Note, the Company has not satisfied the reporting conditions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the requirement for current Form 10 information) set forth in Rule 144(c) and (i)(2) under the Securities Act, or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Companys Affiliates or Holders that were the Companys Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding (as a result of restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes. Such Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes at the rate of 0.50% per annum of the Capitalized Principal Amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during such period on which the condition requiring such Additional Interest is continuing. As used in this Section 4.06(d), documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act do not include documents or reports that the Company furnishes to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(e) [Reserved.]
(f) Additional Interest will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following accrual in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes.
(g) The Additional Interest that is payable in accordance with Section 4.06(d) shall be in addition to any Additional Interest that may accrue on the Notes as a result of the Companys election pursuant to Section 6.03.
(h) If Additional Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06(d), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to the Persons entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.
(i) For the avoidance of doubt, in the event additional Notes are issued under this Indenture pursuant to Section 2.10 and such additional Notes are Restricted Securities, for purposes of determining whether Additional Interest shall be payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d) with respect to any Notes issued under this Indenture, all Notes that were not issued with the same CUSIP number shall be considered separately.
Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. Each of the Company and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it 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 or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever
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enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023) an Officers Certificate stating whether the signers thereof have knowledge of any failure by the Company to comply with all conditions and covenants then required to be performed under this Indenture and, if so, specifying each such failure and the nature thereof.
In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible, and in any event within 30 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officers Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof; provided that the Company will not be required to deliver such notice if such Event of Default or Default is no longer continuing or has been cured.
Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this Indenture.
Section 4.10. Limitation on Secured Debt. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or permit to exist any Lien securing Debt on any of their properties or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens; provided, however, the Company and its Subsidiaries will be permitted to incur Debt secured by Liens if after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt, the aggregate amount of all Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens (not including Permitted Liens) does not exceed $500.0 million. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.10 shall be of no further force or effect if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock has been at least $20.00 (as appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends and stock distributions in a manner consistent with the adjustments to the Conversion Rate set forth in Section 14.04) for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive Trading Day period (including the last Trading Day of such period).
Section 4.11. Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantees. The Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any Debt, other than (a) Guarantees of Notes permitted by Section 2.01 of this Indenture (so long as such Subsidiary has Guaranteed all Notes issued under this Indenture), (b) Debt secured by a Lien permitted by Section 4.10, so long as such Subsidiary has Guaranteed the Notes (for the avoidance of doubt, if Section 4.10 is no longer in effect as a result of the second sentence thereof, this clause (b) shall be changed to read Debt secured by a Lien, so long as such Subsidiary has Guaranteed the Notes), and (c) Guarantees pursuant to contractual obligations existing as of the date of the Investment Agreement (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include any Guarantee of Debt of Nikola Iveco Europe Gmbh).
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Section 4.12 Limitation on Sales of Equity Interests of Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that have Guaranteed the Notes, directly or indirectly, to sell or transfer, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that has Guaranteed the Notes except for any sale or disposition of all of such Subsidiarys Equity Interests.
ARTICLE 5
LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01. Lists of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each May 15 and November 15 in each year beginning with May 15, 2023, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders as of a date not more than 15 days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is acting as Note Registrar.
Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall be an Event of Default with respect to the Notes:
(a) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
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(b) default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon Optional Redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holders conversion right, and such failure continues for a period of five (5) Business Days;
(d) failure by the Company to issue (i) a Fundamental Change Company Notice when due in accordance with Section 15.02(c) and such failure continues for a period of five (5) Business Days or (ii) notice of a specified corporate transaction or event in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(ii) or (iii) when due;
(e) failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with its obligations under Article 11;
(f) failure by the Company or any Guarantor for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;
(g) default by the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $30,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company, the Guarantor and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such indebtedness when due and payable (after the expiration of all applicable grace periods) at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise and, in each such case, such indebtedness is not discharged, or such acceleration is not otherwise cured or rescinded, within 30 days (or, in the case of clause (ii) above, within the greater of (x) 30 days or (y) the duration of any grace period or extension of time for payment applicable thereto);
(h) the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or any such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
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(i) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days;
(j) failure by the Company, any Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $30,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) other than any judgments covered by indemnities provided by, or insurance policies issued by, reputable and creditworthy companies, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final (with no right to appeal thereof), and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; or
(k) except as permitted by this Indenture, the Note Guarantee of any Guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, or such Guarantor denies or disaffirms in writing its obligations under this Indenture or its Note Guarantee, in each case, other than any such cessation, denial or disaffirmation in connection with a termination of such Note Guarantee pursuant to Article 13.
Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment. If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (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), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may (and the Trustee, at the written request of such Holders, shall) declare 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of, and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the Notes have been accelerated but such payments have not been made before the date that the Company would be required to provide a Fundamental Change Company Notice for a Change in Control Transaction pursuant to Section 15.02, then the amounts due upon acceleration provided above shall be adjusted by replacing 100% with 130%. Without
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limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity, in each case, in respect of any Event of Default (including an Event of Default under Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i)) (each an Acceleration Event), the premium provided in the foregoing shall also be due and payable in full at the time of such Acceleration Event and shall constitute part of the Obligations payable to Holders of the Notes in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Holders loss as a result thereof. If the premium becomes due and payable, it shall be deemed to be principal of the Notes, and interest shall accrue on the full principal amount of the Notes (including the premium) from and after the applicable triggering event, including in connection with an Event of Default under Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i). Any premium payable above shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Holder of the Notes as the result of the acceleration of the Notes and the Company agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Company expressly agrees (to the fullest extent it may lawfully do so) that: (A) the premium is reasonable and is the product of an arms length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time acceleration occurs; (C) there has been a course of conduct between the Holders of the Notes and the Company giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the premium; and (D) the Company shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Company expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay the premium to the Holders of the Notes as herein described is a material inducement to the Holders to purchase the Notes.
The immediately preceding paragraph, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay installments of accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized upon all Notes and the principal of any and all Notes that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, and on such principal at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes at such time) and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06, and if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) any and all existing Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, on Notes that shall have become due solely by such acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.09, then and in every such case (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences and such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event
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of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any Default or Event of Default resulting from (i) the nonpayment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, any Notes, (ii) a failure to repurchase any Notes when required or (iii) a failure to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes.
Section 6.03. Additional Interest. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Companys failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall, for the first 360 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the Capitalized Principal Amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the first 180 calendar days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default during which such an Event of Default is continuing (or, if earlier, the date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived as provided for in this Indenture) and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the Capitalized Principal Amount of the Notes outstanding for each day from, and including, the 181st calendar day to, but excluding, the 360th calendar day following the occurrence of such an Event of Default, in each case, during which such Event of Default is continuing (or, if earlier, the date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived as provided for in this Indenture). Additional Interest payable pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d). If the Company so elects, such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes. On the 361st day after such an Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the Companys failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) is not cured or waived prior to such 361st day), the Notes shall be subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Companys failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b). In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 6.03 or the Company elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.
In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 360 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the Companys failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify all Holders, the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee), in writing, of such election prior to the beginning of such 360-day period. Upon the Companys failure to timely give such notice, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.
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Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes at such time, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.
In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem 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 of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings 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, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
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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 such Holder or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver pursuant to Section 6.09 or any rescission and annulment pursuant to Section 6.02 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Guarantors, the Holders and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Guarantors, the Holders and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
First, to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06;
Second, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on, and any cash due upon conversion of, the Notes in default in the order of the date due of the payments of such interest and cash due upon conversion, as the case may be, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon such overdue payments at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes at such time, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;
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Third, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, the payment of the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and, to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee, upon overdue installments of interest at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes at such time, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized; and
Fourth, to the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.
Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided;
(b) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred therein or thereby;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of such security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and
(e) no direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within such 60-day period pursuant to Section 6.09,
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it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Note with every other Holder and the Trustee that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.06, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, the right of each Holder to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has been notified in writing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power 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 shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.
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Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees; provided, however, that the Trustee may refuse to follow any such direction or take any action that conflicts with any rule of law or with this Indenture, or that, subject to the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or may involve the Trustee in liability (it being expressly understood that the Trustee shall not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether such action is prejudicial), unless the Trustee is offered security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, claim, liability, cost or expense to the Trustee that may result from the Trustees following such direction. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, on, or the principal (including any Redemption Price, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, (ii) a failure by the Company or any Guarantor to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence and continuance of a Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, deliver to all Holders notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, any of the Notes or a Default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a committee of Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and
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expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any, on any Note (including, but not limited to, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note, or receive the consideration due upon conversion, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In the event an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has been notified in writing, 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; provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, cost or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
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(ii) in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee is not obligated to make or confirm any calculations called for under this Indenture (including any calculations related to the Notes));
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;
(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;
(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;
(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee had actual knowledge of such event;
(g) in the absence of written investment direction from the Company, all cash received by the Trustee shall be placed in a non-interest bearing trust account, and in no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investments prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction from the Company; and
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(h) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to such Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or 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 Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(e) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder; and
(f) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
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In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action other than any such loss or damage caused by the Trustees willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or by any Holder of the Notes.
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustees certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company or any Affiliate thereof) or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar.
Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust. All monies and shares of Common Stock received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money and shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money or shares of Common Stock received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.
Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall receive reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee for all fees, expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity hereunder (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall have been determined to have been caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent
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jurisdiction. The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, also covenant to indemnify the Trustee in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, its officers, directors, agents or employees, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and in each case, as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture, including the enforcement of this Section 7.06, or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim of liability in the premises and enforcing the Companys or Guarantors obligations hereunder. The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes. The Trustees right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company. The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents and employees of the Trustee.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee (as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction), be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers Certificate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee (as determined in a final and non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction), shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
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$50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by delivering notice thereof to the Holders. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten Business Days notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(ii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
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(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.09(a) provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.10.
Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.10, each of the Company and the successor trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders. If the Company fails to deliver such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate
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trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 7.12. Trustees Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any officer that the Company has indicated to the Trustee should receive such application actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
ARTICLE 8
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.01. Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or
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proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may fix, but shall not be required to, in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date if one is selected shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.
Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar. The record of any Holders meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.
Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including any Redemption Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes under this Indenture; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The sole registered holder of a Global Note shall be the Depositary or its nominee. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holders right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Physical Note in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in conclusively relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action, only Notes that a
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Responsible Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgees right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Subsidiary thereof or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.
ARTICLE 9
HOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (in each case, as permitted under this Indenture) and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Article 10; or
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(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 8.01, shall be delivered to Holders of such Notes. Such notice shall also be delivered to the Company. Such notices shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Any meeting of Holders shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Notes then outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.
Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Holders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.
Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 9.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
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The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting of Holders each Holder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1.00 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him or her; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by it or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating it as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 9.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to limit any Holders actions pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary so long as the Notes are Global Notes.
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ARTICLE 10
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at the Companys expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees;
(b) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company or a Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to Article 11;
(c) to add one or more guarantees with respect to the Notes;
(d) to secure the Notes or the Note Guarantees;
(e) to add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder under this Indenture or the Notes, as determined by the Company in good faith;
(g) to increase the Conversion Rate as provided in this Indenture;
(h) to provide for the appointment of and acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee pursuant to Section 7.09 or to facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one trustee;
(i) to irrevocably elect a Settlement Method or a Specified Dollar Amount or a Minimum Specified Amount, or eliminate the Companys right to elect a Settlement Method; provided that no such election or elimination will affect any Settlement Method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any Note pursuant to the provisions in Section 14.02;
(j) to make PIK Payments (including to issue PIK Notes) or facilitate the same;
(k) to make provisions with respect to conversion rights of the Holders pursuant to Section 14.07 in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(l) to comply with the rules of the Depositary; or
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(m) to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.
Upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee is hereby authorized to, and shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, except that the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 10.01 may be executed by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.
Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, the Notes), the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at the Companys expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:
(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;
(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;
(d) make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes;
(e) reduce the Redemption Price or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Companys obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;
(f) make any Note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;
(g) change the ranking of the Notes;
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(h) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal and 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 Note;
(i) make any change in this Article 10 that requires each Holders consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 6.02 or Section 6.09; or
(j) release the Note Guarantee of any Guarantor except as provided in this Indenture, or make any changes to such Note Guarantee in a manner materially adverse to the Holders.
Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the delivery to the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the requisite Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture 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 supplemental indenture.
Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof. After any such supplemental indenture becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders a notice briefly describing such supplemental indenture. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture.
Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 10.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Companys expense, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Companys expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.10) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.
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Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee. In addition to the documents required by Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 10 and is permitted or authorized by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 11
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.03, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease in one transaction or a series of transactions all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person (other than any such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Companys Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries), unless:
(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the Successor Company), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.
For purposes of this Section 11.01, the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company to another Person, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to another Person.
Section 11.02. Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.03, each Guarantor (other than a Guarantor whose Note Guarantee has been released or is entitled to be released, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Note Guarantee and this Indenture) shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, lease or transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of such Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, unless:
(a) the Successor Company, if not such Guarantor, is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and, in each case, such Successor Company (if not such Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Notes, the applicable Note Guarantee and this Indenture; and
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(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture to the contrary, this Section 11.02 shall not apply to any merger or consolidation of a Guarantor with or into, or any sale, lease or conveyance of assets by a Guarantor to, the Company or any other Guarantor or to any Guarantor upon any termination of the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor in accordance with this Indenture.
Section 11.03. Successor Company to Be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease (other than any such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Companys Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries) and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of all of the obligations of the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be, under the Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture, such Successor Company (if not the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be) shall succeed to and, except in the case of such a lease, shall be substituted for the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and may thereafter exercise every right and power of, the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture. In the case of the Company, such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Article 11 the Person named as the Company in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) or the applicable Guarantor (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes (and, in the case of a Guarantor, the applicable Note Guarantee).
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In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
Section 11.04. Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee. No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease under this Article 11 shall be effective unless the Trustee shall receive an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with the provisions of this Article 11.
ARTICLE 12
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 12.01. Indenture, Notes and Note Guarantees Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any accrued and unpaid interest on any Note or any Note Guarantee, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note or any Note Guarantee, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any Guarantor or of any of their respective successor Persons, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective successor Persons, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
ARTICLE 13
GUARANTEES
Section 13.01. Guarantees.
(a) Subject to this Article 13, each of the Guarantors hereby fully unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, to each Holder of the Notes and to the Trustee the full and punctual payment or delivery when due, whether at maturity, upon conversion, upon Fundamental Change repurchase, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, any amounts due upon conversion, and all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes (the Obligations) to the Trustee and to the Holders. Each of the Guarantors further agrees (to the extent permitted by law) that the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it shall remain bound under this Article 13 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.
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(b) Each of the Guarantors waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each of the Guarantors waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Obligations. The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise, (ii) any extension or renewal of any thereof, (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, (iv) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Obligations or any of them or (v) any change in the ownership of the Company.
(c) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Obligations.
(d) The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each of the Guarantors herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of each of the Guarantors or would otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantors as a matter of law or equity.
(e) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment or delivery, or any part thereof, of amounts due upon conversion or principal of or Additional Interest, if any, on any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
(f) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any of the Guarantors by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay or delivery any of the Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, upon conversion, upon redemption, upon Fundamental Change repurchase, by acceleration or otherwise, each of the Guarantors hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay or delivery, or cause to be paid or delivered, as
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the case may be (i) in cash, to the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (x) the unpaid amount of such Obligations then due and owing and (y) accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, on such Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and/or (ii) any shares of Common Stock then due and owing.
(g) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that, as between itself, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Obligations, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of its Note Guarantee.
Section 13.02. No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any Guarantor hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Company or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Obligations. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to any of the Guarantors on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Obligations.
Section 13.03. Consideration. Each of the Guarantors has received, or shall receive, direct or indirect benefits from the making of its Note Guarantee.
Section 13.04. 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 Note 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 Note 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 13, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or a voidable preference, financial assistance or improper corporate benefit, or violating the corporate purpose of the relevant Guarantor or any applicable capital maintenance or similar laws or regulations affecting the rights of creditors generally under any applicable law or regulation.
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Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantee of any Guarantor organized outside the United States of America may be limited as necessary to (1) comply with applicable law, (2) avoid any general legal limitations such as general statutory limitations, financial assistance, maintenance of share capital, corporate benefit, thin capitalization rules, retention of title claims or similar matters or (3) avoid a conflict with the fiduciary duties of such companys directors, contravention of any legal prohibition or regulatory condition, or the material risk of personal or criminal liability for any officers or directors (collectively referred to as Agreed Guarantee Principles, in each case as reasonably determined by the Company).
Section 13.05. Execution and Delivery.
(a) To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that either (i) this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture, as the case may be) or (ii) a notation of such Note Guarantee as attached hereto as Exhibit B, in each case with such modifications as the Company reasonably determines are appropriate to comply with the Agreed Guarantee Principles, shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers, managers, its trustee, its managing member or its general partner, as the case may be.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee on the Notes.
(c) If an Officer, manager, trustee, managing member or general partner of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture, as the case may be) no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Notes, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
(d) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
Section 13.06. Release of Guarantors. A Guarantor will be automatically released from all of its obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and its Note Guarantee, and its Note Guarantee will automatically terminate:
(a) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 3.01;
(b) upon the consummation of any sale or other disposition of any portion or all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) or other transaction such that after giving effect to such sale, disposition or other transaction such Guarantor is no longer a Domestic Subsidiary of the Company;
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(c) to the extent that such Guarantor is not an Immaterial Subsidiary solely due to the operation of clause (a) of the definition of Immaterial Subsidiary, upon the release of the guarantee referred to in such clause; or
(d) entry into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 10.02(j) to confirm and evidence the release, termination, discharge or retaking of any Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes when such release, termination, discharge or re-taking is provided for under the Indenture.
Upon request and at the expense of the Company and upon receipt of an Officers Certificate, the Trustee shall evidence such release by a supplemental indenture or other instrument which may be executed by the Trustee without the consent of any Holder. The Trustee shall have no liability to any Person for any release, supplemental indenture or instrument to evidence the release of a Guarantor delivered in reliance on such Officers Certificate.
Section 13.07. Future Guarantors. The Company shall cause any Subsidiary that is not, or that has previously been released as, a Guarantor, and that is not a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, to become a Guarantor and provide a Note Guarantee of the Obligations. Within 60 days of becoming required to be a Guarantor, such Guarantor shall comply with the requirements to execute and deliver a Note Guarantee to the Trustee under Section 13.05 hereto.
ARTICLE 14
CONVERSION OF NOTES
Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege. (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holders option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof) of such Note (i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b) (provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (i), no Holder may so convert all or any portion of any such Note (other than subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b)(iii)) prior to the Conversion Trigger Date), and (ii) regardless of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), on or after February 28, 2026 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in each case, at an initial conversion rate of [] shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate) per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the Conversion Obligation).
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(b) (i) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during the five Business Day period immediately after any ten consecutive Trading Day period (the Measurement Period) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined following a written request by a Holder of Notes in accordance with this Section 14.01(b)(i), for each Trading Day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on each such Trading Day. The Trading Prices shall be determined by the Bid Solicitation Agent pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(i) and the definition of Trading Price set forth in this Indenture. The Company shall provide written notice to the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) of the three independent nationally recognized securities dealers selected by the Company pursuant to the definition of Trading Price, along with appropriate contact information for each. The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes unless the Company has requested such determination, and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes) unless a Holder of at least $2,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes provides the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on any Trading Day would be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day, at which time the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to determine, or if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate. If (x) the Company is not acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, and the Company does not instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent to obtain bids, or if the Company so instructs the Bid Solicitation Agent to obtain bids and the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to make such determination, or (y) the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent and the Company fails to make such determination. then, in either case, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each Trading Day of such failure. If the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Company shall so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee). Any such determination will be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Trustee and the Conversion Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the written notice thereof. If, at any time after the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate for such date, the Company shall so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing, and thereafter neither the Company nor the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall be required to solicit bids (or determine the Trading Price of the Notes as set forth in this Indenture) again until a new Holder request is made pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(i).
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(ii) If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, the Company elects to:
(A) issue to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or
(B) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock the Companys assets, securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan prior to the separation of such rights from the Common Stock), which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Company, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,
then, in either case, the Company shall notify the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) at least 60 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution (or, if later in the case of any such separation of rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company becomes aware that such separation or Trigger Event has occurred or will occur); provided, however, that if the Company is then otherwise permitted to settle conversions by Physical Settlement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company has not elected another Settlement Method to apply, including pursuant to Section 14.02), then the Company may instead elect to provide such notice at least five (5) Scheduled Trading Days prior to such Ex-Dividend Date. In that event, the Company shall be required to settle all conversions with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the date the Company provides such notice and before such Ex-Dividend Date (or, if earlier, the date the Company announces that such issuance or distribution will not take place) by Physical Settlement, and the Company shall elect the same in such notice. Once the Company has given such notice, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and (2) the Companys announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place (or in the case of a separation or Trigger Event pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, until the 20th Trading Day following the date of such notice), even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time.
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No Holder of a Note may convert any of its Notes pursuant to this clause (ii) if such Holder otherwise participates in such issuance or distribution, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described above in this clause (ii) without having to convert such Holders Notes as if such Holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the applicable Conversion Rate as of the record date for such issuance or distribution, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.
(iii) If (A) a transaction or event that constitutes (x) a Fundamental Change or (y) a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, regardless of whether a Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes pursuant to Section 15.02, or (B) if the Company is a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of its assets that occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets (other than a merger effected solely to change the Companys jurisdiction of incorporation that does not otherwise constitute a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Fundamental Change), then, in each case, all or any portion of a Holders Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the effective date of the transaction or event until 35 Trading Days after the actual effective date of such transaction or event (or, if the Company gives notice of such transaction or event after the effective date of such transaction or event, until 35 Trading Days after the date that the Company gives such notice) or, if such transaction or event also constitutes a Fundamental Change, until the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) as promptly as practicable following the date the Company publicly announces such transaction or event.
(iv) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2023 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day.
(v) If the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption pursuant to Article 16 prior to the Maturity Date, then a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Called Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date, even if the Called Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such Called Notes on account of the Companys delivery of a Redemption Notice shall expire, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case a Holder of Called Notes may convert all or any portion of its Called Notes until the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for. If the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, and the Holder of any Note (or any
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owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note) is reasonably not able to determine, before the close of business on the 29th Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date, whether such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, is to be redeemed pursuant to such redemption, then such Holder or owner, as applicable, shall be entitled to convert such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, at any time before the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day prior to such Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case such Holder or owner, as applicable, shall be entitled to convert such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, until the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for, and each such conversion shall be deemed to be of a Note called for redemption, and such Note or beneficial interest shall be deemed called for redemption solely for the purposes of such conversion (Deemed Redemption). If a Holder elects to convert Called Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(v) during the related Redemption Period, the Company shall, under certain circumstances, increase the Conversion Rate for such Called Notes pursuant to Section 14.03. Accordingly, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes shall not be entitled to convert such Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(v) and shall not be entitled to an increased Conversion Rate on account of the Redemption Notice, even if such Notes are otherwise convertible pursuant to any other provision of this Section 14.01(b) and are converted during the related Redemption Period.
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Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.
(a) Subject to this Section 14.02, Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, to the converting Holder, in respect of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes being converted, cash (Cash Settlement), shares of Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02 (Physical Settlement) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02 (Combination Settlement), at its election, as set forth in this Section 14.02. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Indenture or the Notes, (x) unless and until the Authorized Share Effective Date has occurred, the Company shall be required to (and shall otherwise be deemed to) elect Cash Settlement in respect of all Notes submitted for conversion and (y) following the Authorized Share Effective Date, unless and until the Company obtains Requisite Stockholder Approval, (I) the Company may not elect Physical Settlement if the number of shares of Common Stock the Company would be required to deliver, together with the number of all other shares of Common Stock the Company previously delivered in respect of Notes previously submitted for conversion, would exceed the Conversion Share Cap and (II) if the Company elects or is deemed to elect Combination Settlement, the number of shares of Common Stock the Company would be required to deliver, together with the number of all other shares of Common Stock the Company previously delivered in respect of Notes previously submitted for conversion, shall not exceed the Conversion Share Cap, and any Settlement Amount that would be deliverable in shares of Common Stock but for such Conversion Share Cap limitation shall be delivered in cash.
(i) (x) All conversions of Called Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period and (y) all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 28, 2026, shall be settled using the same Settlement Method.
(ii) Except for any such conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during a Redemption Period and any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 28, 2026, and except to the extent the Company elects Physical Settlement to apply pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii) in a notice as described in such Section, the Company shall use the same Settlement Method for all conversions occurring on the same Conversion Date, but the Company shall not have any obligation to use the same Settlement Method with respect to conversions that occur on different Conversion Dates.
(iii) If, in respect of any Conversion Date (or one of the periods described below, as the case may be), the Company elects a Settlement Method, the Company shall deliver a notice (the Settlement Notice) of the Settlement Method so elected in respect of such Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be) to converting Holders (with
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a copy to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee)) no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date (or, in the case of (w) any conversions of Called Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, in the related Redemption Notice, (x) any conversions of Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 28, 2026, no later than the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 28, 2026, (y) any conversion for which the Company has irrevocably elected Physical Settlement to apply pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii) in a notice as described in such Section or (z) any conversion for which the Company has irrevocably elected Combination Settlement, with a certain Specified Dollar Amount or a Minimum Specified Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes, to apply pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.02(a)(iii), as described in this Section 14.02(a)(iii)). If the Company does not timely elect a Settlement Method prior to the deadline set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect Cash Settlement or Physical Settlement for such conversion or during such period and the Company shall be deemed to have elected Combination Settlement in respect of its Conversion Obligation, and the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes shall be equal to $1,000. Such Settlement Notice shall specify the relevant Settlement Method and in the case of an election of Combination Settlement, the relevant Settlement Notice shall indicate the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes. If the Company delivers a Settlement Notice electing Combination Settlement in respect of its Conversion Obligation but does not timely notify converting Holders of the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes in such Settlement Notice, the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes shall be deemed to be $1,000. By written notice to the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee)), the Company may, prior to February 28, 2026, at its option, elect to irrevocably fix the Settlement Method to any Settlement Method that the Company is then permitted to elect, including Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes of $1,000 or with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes at or above a specific amount (the Minimum Specified Amount) set forth in such election notice. If the Company irrevocably elects Combination Settlement with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes at or above a specific amount, the Company shall send written notice to Holders converting their Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent of such Specified Dollar Amount no later than the relevant deadline for election of a Settlement Method as described in this Section 14.02(a)(iii), or, if the Company does not timely notify Holders, such Specified Dollar Amount shall be the Minimum Specified Amount set forth in the election notice, unless no Minimum Specified Amount was set forth in the election notice, in which case such Specified Dollar Amount shall be $1,000 per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes. The irrevocable election shall apply to all Note conversions on Conversion Dates occurring subsequent to delivery of such notice; provided that no such election will affect any
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Settlement Method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any Note. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, shall be effective without the need to amend this Indenture or the Notes, including pursuant to Section 10.01(i). However, the Company may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at its option. If the Company irrevocably fixes the Settlement Method pursuant to the provisions in this Section 14.02(a)(iii), and such Settlement Method is not Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount of $1,000 per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes, then, concurrently with providing written notice to Holders of such election, the Company shall either post the fixed Settlement Method on its website or disclose the same in a current report on Form 8-K (or any successor form) that is filed with the Commission.
(iv) The cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in respect of any conversion of Notes (the Settlement Amount) shall be computed as follows (for the avoidance of doubt, with pro-ration for any portion of the Capitalized Principal Amount subject to conversion that is not an integral multiple of $1,000):
(A) if the Company elects to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Physical Settlement, the Company shall deliver to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes being converted a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date;
(B) if the Company elects to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Cash Settlement, the Company shall pay to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the Daily Conversion Values for each of the 25 consecutive Trading Days during the related Observation Period; and
(C) if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Combination Settlement, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, in respect of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes being converted, a Settlement Amount equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 25 consecutive Trading Days during the related Observation Period.
(v) The Daily Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values (if applicable) shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the Observation Period. Promptly after such determination of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering fractional shares of Common Stock. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have no responsibility for any such determination.
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(b) Subject to Section 14.02(e), before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with the procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time for converting a beneficial interest in a Global Note and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) (and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any, as set forth in Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e)) and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission thereof) (a Notice of Conversion) at the office of the Conversion Agent and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the office of the Conversion Agent, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and (4) if required, pay funds equal to any accrued interest that has not been capitalized and is payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h). The Trustee (and, if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date for such conversion. No Notes may be surrendered for conversion by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and has not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 15.03.
If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.
(c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the Conversion Date) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in subsection (b) above. Except as set forth in Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due in respect of the Conversion Obligation on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, if the Company elects Physical Settlement, or on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period, in the case of any other Settlement Method; provided that, with respect to any Conversion Date occurring during a Redemption Period or after the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, the Company will settle any such conversion for which Physical Settlement is applicable on the relevant Redemption Date or the Maturity Date, as applicable. If any shares of
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Common Stock are due to converting Holders, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver to such Holder, or such Holders nominee or nominees, certificates or a book-entry transfer through the Depositary for the full number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled in satisfaction of the Companys Conversion Obligation.
(d) In case any Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.
(e) If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge due on any issuance of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests any such shares to be issued in a name other than the Holders name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax. The Conversion Agent or the Companys stock transfer agent, as applicable, may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holders name until the Trustee receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.
(f) Except as provided in Section 14.04, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 14.
(g) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.
(h) Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, except as set forth below. The Companys settlement of the full Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the Capitalized Principal Amount of the Note and any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, any accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes into a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of
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business on a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the open of business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes in cash at the Cash Interest Rate as if the Company had elected the Cash Method for all such interest (whether or not the Company actually elected the Cash Method) and the principal of such converted Notes shall not be increased by any Capitalization Amount (regardless of whether the Company elected or is deemed to have elected the Capitalization Method) on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted (regardless of whether the converting Holder was the Holder of record on the corresponding Regular Record Date); provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately succeeding the corresponding Interest Payment Date; (3) if the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately succeeding the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (4) to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date shall receive the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date in cash regardless of whether their Notes have been converted following such Regular Record Date.
(i) The Person in whose name the certificate for any shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion is registered shall be deemed to be the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on the relevant Conversion Date (if the Company elects to satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Physical Settlement) or the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period (if the Company elects to satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Combination Settlement), as the case may be. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion.
(j) The Company shall not issue any fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion based on the Daily VWAP on the relevant Conversion Date (in the case of Physical Settlement) or based on the Daily VWAP on the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period (in the case of Combination Settlement). For each Note surrendered for conversion, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Combination Settlement, the full number of shares that shall be issued upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Daily Settlement Amounts for the relevant Observation Period and any fractional shares remaining after such computation shall be paid in cash.
(k) If a Holder converts more than one Note on a Conversion Date, then the consideration due upon such conversion will (in the case of any Global Note, to the extent permitted by, and practicable under, the applicable procedures of the Depositary) be computed based on the total principal amount of Notes converted on such Conversion Date by that Holder.
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Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or Called Notes During a Redemption Period. (a) If (i) the Effective Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date and a Holder elects to convert its Notes in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change or (ii) the Company issues a Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 16.02 and a Holder elects to convert its Called Notes pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v) during the related Redemption Period, as the case may be, the Company shall, under the circumstances described below, increase the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the Additional Shares), as described below. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the relevant Notice of Conversion is received by the Conversion Agent from, and including, the open of business on the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or, in the case of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the 35th Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change) (such period, the Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period). For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company issues a Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 16.02, the Company shall increase the Conversion Rate hereunder during the related Redemption Period only with respect to conversions of Called Notes, and not for Notes that are not Called Notes. Accordingly, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes shall not be entitled to convert such Notes pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v) and shall not be entitled to an increased Conversion Rate for conversions of such Notes on account of the Redemption Notice, even if such Notes are otherwise convertible pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(i)-(iv) and are converted during the related Redemption Period.
(b) Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(iii) or upon surrender of Called Notes during a Redemption Period pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v), the Company shall, at its option, satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement in accordance with Section 14.02 based on the Conversion Rate as increased to reflect the Additional Shares pursuant to the table below; provided, however, that if, the Reference Property in any Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to the Conversion Rate (including any increase to reflect the Additional Shares), multiplied by such Stock Price. In such event, the Conversion Obligation shall be determined and paid to Holders in cash on the second Business Day following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date.
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(c) The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased for conversions during the Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period or, with respect to conversions of Called Notes, during the Redemption Period shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the Effective Date) or the Redemption Notice Date, as applicable and the price (the Stock Price) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or with respect to the Redemption Notice Date, as applicable, as set forth in this Section 14.03. If the holders of the Common Stock receive in exchange for their Common Stock only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. In the case of any other Make-Whole Fundamental Change or in the case of any Optional Redemption, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or the Redemption Notice Date, as the case may be. In the event that a Conversion Date for Called Notes occurs during both the relevant Redemption Period and a Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period, a Holder of any such Notes to be converted will be entitled to a single increase to the Conversion Rate with respect to the first to occur of the applicable Redemption Notice Date or Effective Date, and the later event shall be deemed not to have occurred for purposes of this Section 14.03.
(d) The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate for the Notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 14.04.
(e) The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes pursuant to this Section 14.03 for each Stock Price and Effective Date or Redemption Notice Date, as applicable, set forth below: [New Table to be inserted]
Effective/ | Stock Price | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$6.73 | $7.50 | $8.74 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[●], 2023 | 34.2282 | 29.4613 | 23.7735 | 19.6700 | 10.9807 | 7.0665 | 4.8704 | 3.4860 | 1.8855 | 1.0398 | 0.5537 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2023 | 34.2282 | 27.7813 | 21.9542 | 17.8860 | 9.7147 | 6.2245 | 4.2984 | 3.0860 | 1.6763 | 0.9224 | 0.4860 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2024 | 34.2282 | 25.8640 | 19.5217 | 15.3500 | 7.8307 | 4.9815 | 3.4644 | 2.5113 | 1.3873 | 0.7696 | 0.4043 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2025 | 34.2282 | 22.8680 | 15.2643 | 10.8400 | 4.6820 | 2.9635 | 2.0992 | 1.5507 | 0.8828 | 0.4970 | 0.2592 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2026 | 34.2282 | 19.0347 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
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The exact Stock Prices and Effective Dates or Redemption Notice Dates, may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:
(i) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table above or the Effective Date or the Redemption Notice Date, as the case may be, is between two Effective Dates or Redemption Notice Dates, as applicable, in the table above, the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates or Redemption Notice Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year;
(ii) if the Stock Price is greater than $[] per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate; and
(iii) if the Stock Price is less than $[] per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Conversion Rate per $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes exceed [] shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04.
(f) Nothing in this Section 14.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate that would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 14.04.
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate for each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes held by such Holder.
(a) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
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where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as applicable; |
CR = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date; |
OS0 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination); and |
OS = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination. |
Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Company determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(b) If the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance; |
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CR = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
OS0 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
X = | the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and |
Y = | the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. |
Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of the Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.
For purposes of this Section 14.04(b) and Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Company.
(c) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities of the Company, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 14.04(a) or Section 14.04(b), (ii) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in Section 14.04(d) shall apply, (iii) distributions of Reference Property issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, the Common Stock in a transaction described in Section 14.07 and (iv) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the Distributed Property), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
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where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
CR = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
SP0 = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and |
FMV = | the fair market value (as determined by the Company) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. |
Any increase made under the portion of this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if FMV (as defined above) is equal to or greater than SP0 (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock receive the Distributed Property, the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution.
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to any Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a Spin-Off), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
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where,
CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period; | ||
CR | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period; | ||
FMV0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of the Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the Valuation Period); and | ||
MP0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period. |
The adjustment to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the Valuation Period, references to 10 in the portion of this Section 14.04(c) related to Spin-Offs shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for such conversion and within the Valuation Period, references to 10 in the portion of this Section 14.04(c) related to Spin-Offs shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Company determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.
For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respect to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Companys Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (Trigger Event): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon
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such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable also includes one or both of:
(A) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the Clause A Distribution); or
(B) a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the Clause B Distribution),
then, in either case, (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the Clause C Distribution) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).
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(d) If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; | ||
CR | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; | ||
SP0 | = | the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; and | ||
C | = | the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock. |
Any increase pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Company determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if C (as defined above) is equal to or greater than SP0 (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.
(e) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock (other than any odd-lot tender offer), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
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where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
CR = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
AC = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Company) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer; |
OS0 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); |
OS = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and |
SP = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires. |
The adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to 10 or 10th in this Section 14.04(e) shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for such conversion and within the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to
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10 or 10th in this Section 14.04(e) shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day.
If the Company is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer described in this Section 14.04(e) but is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or all such purchases are rescinded, the applicable Conversion Rate will be readjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made or had been made only in respect of the purchases that have been made.
(f) Notwithstanding this Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date, and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Record Date would be deemed to be the record holder of the shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date as described under Section 14.02(i) based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the Conversion Rate adjustment provisions in this Section 14.04, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date shall not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder shall be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of the shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
(g) Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.
(h) In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 14.04, and subject to the listing standards of any exchange on which any of the Companys securities are then listed, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Company determines that such increase would be in the Companys best interest. In addition, subject to the listing standards of any exchange on which any of the Companys securities are then listed, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the applicable Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase shares of Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall deliver to the Holder of each Note a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.
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(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:
(i) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Companys securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;
(ii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit or incentive plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of the Companys Subsidiaries;
(iii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued
(iv) upon the repurchase of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction (including, without limitation, through any structured or derivative transactions such as accelerated share repurchase transactions or similar forward derivatives) that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the nature described in Section 14.04(e);
(v) solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or
(vi) for accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized, if any.
(j) The Company shall not be required to make an adjustment pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 14.04 unless such adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% of the then effective Conversion Rate. However, the Company shall carry forward any adjustment that the Company would otherwise have to make and take that adjustment into account in any subsequent adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all such carried-forward adjustments shall be made with respect to the Notes (i) where the aggregate of all such carried-forward adjustments equals or exceeds 1% of the Conversion Rate and (ii) regardless of whether the aggregate adjustment is less than 1% of the Conversion Rate, (x) on the Conversion Date for any Notes (in the case of Physical Settlement) and (y) on each Trading Day of any Observation Period with respect to any Notes (in the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement). All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.
(k) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officers Certificate setting forth (i) the adjusted Conversion Rate, (ii) the subsection of this Section 14.04 pursuant to which such adjustment has been made, showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based and (iii) the date as of which such adjustment is effective (which
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certificates shall be conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such adjustment absent manifest error). Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officers Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
(l) For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an Observation Period and the period, if any, for determining the Stock Price for purposes of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change), the Company shall make appropriate adjustments in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or expiration date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts are to be calculated.
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid. After the Authorized Share Effective Date, the Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Share Cap. If the Company obtains Requisite Stockholder Approval, the Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion (assuming delivery of the maximum number of Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03 and that at the time of computation of such number of shares, all such Notes would be converted by a single Holder and that Physical Settlement is applicable).
Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.
(a) In the case of:
(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),
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(ii) any consolidation, merger or combination or similar transaction involving the Company,
(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Companys Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety or
(iv) any statutory share exchange,
in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a Merger Event), then, at and after the effective time of such Merger Event, the right to convert each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Merger Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the Reference Property, with each unit of Reference Property meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive) upon such Merger Event and, prior to or at the effective time of such Merger Event, the Company or the successor or acquiring corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 10.01(k) providing for such change in the right to convert each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Merger Event (A) the Company or the successor or acquiring corporation, as the case may be, shall continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 and (B) (I) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash, (II) any shares of Common Stock that the Company would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have received in such Merger Event and (III) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property.
If the Merger Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then (i) the Reference Property into which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock, and (ii) the unit of Reference Property for purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph shall refer to the consideration referred to in clause (i) attributable to one share of Common Stock. If the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Merger Event, then for all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the effective date of such Merger Event (A) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in
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such Merger Event and (B) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying cash to converting Holders on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.
Such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that are as nearly equivalent as practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14. If, in the case of any Merger Event, the Reference Property includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets of a Person other than the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, cash paid by such surviving company, successor or purchaser corporation, as the case may be, in such Merger Event), then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders as the Company reasonably considers necessary by reason of the foregoing, including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in Article 15.
(b) When the Company executes a supplemental indenture pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 14.07, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Merger Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be delivered to each Holder within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
(c) The Company shall not become a party to any Merger Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a holder of Notes to convert its Notes into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Merger Event.
(d) The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Merger Events.
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants. (a) The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
(b) The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.
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(c) The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in conclusively relying upon, the Officers Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to deliver to the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any event contemplated by Section 14.01(b) has occurred that makes the Notes eligible for conversion or no longer eligible therefor until the Company has delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent the notices referred to in Section 14.01(b) with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights, on which notices the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely, and the Company agrees to deliver such notices to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent immediately after the occurrence of any such event or at such other times as shall be provided for in Section 14.01(b).
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:
(a) action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 or Section 14.11;
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(b) Merger Event; or
(c) voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture), the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to be delivered to each Holder, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 20 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record are to be determined for the purposes of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) the date on which such Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans. If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each share of Common Stock, if any, issued upon such conversion shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such stockholder rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if, prior to any conversion of Notes, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights plan so that the Holders would not be entitled to receive any rights in respect of Common Stock, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock Distributed Property as provided in Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Section 14.12. Exchange In Lieu Of Conversion. (a) When a Holder surrenders its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election, direct the Conversion Agent to surrender, on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, such Notes to one or more financial institutions designated by the Company (each, a Designated Institution) for exchange in lieu of conversion (an Exchange Election). In order to accept any Notes surrendered for conversion for exchange in lieu of conversion, the Designated Institution(s) must agree to timely pay or deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such Notes, cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Companys election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described in Section 14.02 above or such other amount agreed to by the converting Holder and the Designated Institution(s) (the
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Conversion Consideration). If the Company makes the election described above, the Company shall, by the close of business on the Business Day following the relevant Conversion Date, notify in writing the Holder surrendering Notes for conversion, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee), that it has made such election, and the Company shall notify the Designated Institution(s) of the relevant deadline for delivery of the Conversion Consideration and the type of Conversion Consideration to be paid and/or delivered (unless the form of Conversion Consideration has been otherwise agreed by the Holder and the Designated Institution(s) as set forth in this Section 14.12). Any Notes exchanged by any Designated Institution will remain outstanding, subject to applicable procedures of the Depositary.
(b) If any Designated Institution agrees to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the related Conversion Consideration to the Conversion Agent, or if such Designated Institution does not accept such Notes for exchange, the Company shall, within the time period specified in Section 14.02(c), pay or deliver, as the case may be, the Conversion Consideration in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.02 as if the Company had not made the Exchange Election.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will the Companys designation of a Designated Institution pursuant to this Section 14.12 require such Designated Institution to accept any Notes for exchange.
ARTICLE 15
REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 15.01. Intentionally Omitted.
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction. (a) If a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holders option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holders Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to Section 15.03 that is equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof, on the date (the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 or more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to (i) in the event of a Change in Control Transaction, 130% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of such Notes or otherwise (ii) 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount of such Notes, in each case, plus any accrued interest thereon that has not been paid or capitalized to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay in cash at the Cash Interest Rate the full amount of accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized (to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date) to Holders of record as of such Regular Record Date
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(notwithstanding any prior election (or deemed election) by the Company to pay such interest pursuant to the Capitalization Method), and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to (i) in the event of a Change in Control Transaction, 130% of the Capitalized Principal Amount or otherwise (ii) 100% of the Capitalized Principal Amount, in each case of such Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15. Any Notes so repurchased by the Company shall be paid for in cash. The Fundamental Change Repurchase Date shall be subject to postponement in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law as a result of changes to such applicable law occurring after the date of this Indenture.
(b) Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:
(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositarys procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and
(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.
The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:
(i) in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;
(ii) the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof; and
(iii) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.
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The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
(c) On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders, the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (in the case of a Conversion Agent other than the Trustee) and the Paying Agent (in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a notice (the Fundamental Change Company Notice) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the resulting repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:
(i) the events causing the Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction, as applicable;
(ii) the effective date of the Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction, as applicable;
(iii) the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;
(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;
(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;
(vi) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;
(vii) if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate as a result of such Fundamental Change (or related Make-Whole Fundamental Change);
(viii) that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder validly withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
(ix) the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.
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No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02.
At the Companys request, the Trustee shall give such notice in the Companys name and at the Companys expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(e) The Company shall not be required to repurchase or make an offer to repurchase Notes upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction, as applicable, otherwise required under this Section 15.02 if a third party makes such an offer to purchase Notes in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth in this Indenture and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under such offer to purchase.
Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice. (a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:
(i) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted,
(ii) if Physical Notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the Notes in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and
(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.
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Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. (a) The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04) on or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 15.02 by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
(b) If by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of the Notes to be repurchased on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company)) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price).
(c) Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer pursuant to this Article 15, the Company will, if required:
(a) comply with the provisions of any tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;
(b) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and
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(c) otherwise comply in all material respects with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;
in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations enacted after the date the Company initially issues the Notes conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Companys obligations to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Article 15 by virtue of such conflict.
ARTICLE 16
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
Section 16.01. Optional Redemption. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to June 1, 2025. On or after June 1, 2025 and prior to the 26th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, the Company may, at its option, redeem (an Optional Redemption) for cash all or any portion of the Notes (subject to the Partial Redemption Limitation set forth in Section 16.02(d)), at the Redemption Price.
Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. (a) In case the Company exercises its Optional Redemption right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 16.01, it shall fix a date for redemption (each, a Redemption Date) and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not less than 5 Business Days prior to the date such Redemption Notice is to be sent (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall deliver or cause to be delivered a written notice of such Optional Redemption (a Redemption Notice) not less than 35 nor more than 50 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed as a whole or in part; provided, however, that, if the Company shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee). The Redemption Date must be a Business Day.
(b) The Redemption Notice, if delivered in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such Redemption Notice or any defect in the Redemption Notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.
(c) Each Redemption Notice shall specify:
(i) the Redemption Date;
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(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Note to be redeemed, and that interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(iv) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(v) that Holders of Called Notes may surrender their Called Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date;
(vi) the procedures a converting Holder must follow to convert its Called Notes and the Settlement Method;
(vii) the Conversion Rate and, if applicable, the number of Additional Shares added to the Conversion Rate in accordance with Section 14.03;
(viii) the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Notes; and
(ix) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued, which principal amount must be $1,000 or a multiple thereof.
A Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable.
(d) If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, at least $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes must be outstanding and not subject to Optional Redemption as of the date of the relevant Redemption Notice (such requirement, the Partial Redemption Limitation). If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected according to the Depositarys applicable procedures, in the case of Notes represented by a Global Note, or, in the case of Notes represented by Physical Notes, the Trustee shall the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. If any Note selected for partial redemption is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of the Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion selected for redemption, subject, in the case of Notes represented by a Global Note, to the Depositarys applicable procedures.
Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. (a) If any Redemption Notice has been given in respect of the Notes in accordance with Section 16.02, the Notes shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice and at the applicable Redemption Price. On presentation and surrender of the Notes at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice, the Notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.
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(b) Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent or, if the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 7.05 an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on the Redemption Date), sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date. Subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, payment for the Notes to be redeemed shall be made on the Redemption Date for such Notes. The Paying Agent shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Redemption Price.
Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption. The Company may not redeem any Notes on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Redemption Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to such Notes).
ARTICLE 17
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Companys and Guarantors Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company and each Guarantor contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company or a Guarantor shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable.
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company or any Guarantor shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is delivered by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee) to Nikola Corporation, 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office or sent electronically in PDF format to an email address specified by the Trustee.
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The Trustee and the Company, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (provided that any communication sent to Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign (or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to Trustee by an authorized representative of the Company), in English). If a party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustees understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustees reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic notices, instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to Trustee, including without limitation the risk of Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may in any instance and in its sole discretion require that an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic communication.
Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Physical Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any Fundamental Change Company Notice) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the Depositarys applicable procedures.
Failure to mail or deliver 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 or delivered, as the case may be, in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
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Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTE GUARANTEES AND EACH NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF).
The Company and each Guarantor irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.
The Company and each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent have been satisfied; provided that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection with (w) the initial authentication of Notes upon the original issuance thereof under this Indenture, (x) the authentication of an unrestricted Global Note in the name of the Custodian not containing restrictive legends pursuant to Section 2.05(c), (y) the exchange of the restricted CUSIP of the Restricted Securities to an unrestricted CUSIP pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary upon the Notes or the shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion thereof becoming freely tradable by non-Affiliates of the Company under Rule 144, or (z) a request by the Company that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under the Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officers Certificate with respect to such notice. With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers Certificate or certificates of public officials.
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Each Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with this Indenture (other than the Officers Certificates provided for in Section 4.08) shall include (a) a statement that the person signing such certificate is familiar with the requested action and this Indenture; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (c) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such action is permitted by this Indenture; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such person, such action is permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent have been satisfied.
Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, any Redemption Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay.
Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.
Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles 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 hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes by the Trustee and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustees certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.
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Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall deliver notice of such appointment to all Holders.
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time the agreed-upon compensation for its services.
The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.10 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.10, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustees certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
__________________________,
as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
By: ____________________
Authorized Officer
Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, PDF or such other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. Unless otherwise provided in this Indenture or in any Note, the words execute,
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execution, signed and signature and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture, any Note or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee.
Section 17.12. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, EACH GUARANTOR 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, THE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 17.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, pandemics, epidemics, recognized public emergencies, quarantine restrictions, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, and hacking, cyber-attacks, or other use or infiltration of the Trustees technological infrastructure exceeding authorized access; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 17.15. Calculations. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Settlement Amounts, accrued interest payable on the Notes and the Conversion Rate of the Notes. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Companys calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to
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each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Companys calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Companys calculations to any Holder of Notes upon the request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.
Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA 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 USA PATRIOT Act.
Section 17.17. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders. None of the Companys past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, shall have any liability for any of the Companys obligations under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the Notes.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
NIKOLA CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
NIKOLA SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION, as Guarantor | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]
[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREUNDER IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A RESTRICTED SECURITY]
[THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NIKOLA CORPORATION. (THE COMPANY) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
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(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND FOR ALL NOTES]
[THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (OID) FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. UPON REQUEST, THE ISSUER WILL PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO A HOLDER OF THIS NOTE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF OID, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTES BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO THE ISSUER AT NIKOLA CORPORATION, 4141 E BROADWAY ROAD, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85040, ATTENTION: CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, OR VIA EMAIL AT ]
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Nikola Corporation
8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Note due 2026
No. [__] | [Initially]1 $[_________] |
CUSIP No. [_______]2
Nikola Corporation, a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Company, which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]3 [_______]4, or registered assigns, the principal sum [as set forth in the Schedule of Exchanges of Notes attached hereto]5 [of $[_______]]6, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, on May 31, 2026, and interest thereon as set forth below.
This Note shall bear interest at the applicable Cash Interest Rate or PIK Interest Rate from November 30, 2022, or from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until May 31, 2026. Accrued interest on this Note shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears in cash at the Cash Interest Rate or by PIK Payments at the PIK Interest Rate, pursuant to Section 2.03(d) of the Indenture, on each May 31 and November 30, commencing on May 31, 2023, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding May 15 and November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. The Company shall make payments on the Notes in the manner set forth in the Indenture. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of such Section 4.06(d) or Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.
Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the Cash Interest Rate borne by the Notes, from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election, in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.
1 | Include if a global note. |
2 | This Note will be deemed to be identified by CUSIP No. [] from and after such time when the restrictive legend is removed pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Indenture. |
3 | Include if a global note. |
4 | Include if a physical note. |
5 | Include if a global note. |
6 | Include if a physical note. |
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The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if and so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds in lawful money of the United States at the time to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and its Corporate Trust Office in the contiguous United States of America, as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.
NIKOLA CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture. | ||
By: | ||
Authorized Officer |
[Signature Page to Note]
[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]
Nikola Corporation
8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the Notes), initially limited to the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 (as may be increased by any PIK Payments) issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [●], 2023 (the Indenture), among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used in this Note and not defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture. The originally issued Notes, all PIK Notes, and any additional Notes issued as set forth in the Indenture or this Note shall constitute a single class.
Events of Default.
In case certain Events of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.
Payments.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Redemption Price on any Redemption Date and the Capitalized Principal Amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
Amendments and Waivers.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.
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Guarantees.
The Notes are guaranteed to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Right to Payments.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued interest that has not been paid or capitalized on, and the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money or shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, herein prescribed.
Registered Form; Denominations; Transfer and Exchange.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1.00 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to herein, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.
Redemption.
The Notes shall not be redeemable at the Companys option prior to June 1, 2025. The Notes shall be redeemable at the Companys option on or after June 1, 2025 and prior to the 26th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the Indenture. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
Fundamental Change Repurchase Right.
Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change or Change in Control Transaction, the Holder has the right, at such Holders option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holders Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1.00 in excess thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
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Conversion Rights.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.
Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.
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ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM = as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
CUST = Custodian
TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
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SCHEDULE A7
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES
Nikola Corporation
8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is _______ DOLLARS ($[_________]). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
Date of exchange | Amount of | Amount of | Principal amount of this Global Note | Signature of | ||||
7 | Include if a global note. |
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ATTACHMENT 1
[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]
To: Nikola Corporation
To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Global Corporate Trust
111 Fillmore Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55107
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 Capitalized Principal Amount or an integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof) below designated, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.
Dated: _________________________ | ||||
Signature(s) |
|
Signature Guarantee |
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange |
1
Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to be issued, or Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.
Fill in for registration of shares if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder: |
|
(Name) |
(Street Address) |
(City, State and Zip Code) |
Please print name and address |
Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $______,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. | ||
Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number |
2
ATTACHMENT 2
[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]
To: Nikola Corporation
To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Global Corporate Trust
111 Fillmore Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55107
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Nikola Corporation (the Company) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.
In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:
Dated: _____________________
Signature(s) |
|
Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all): $______,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
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ATTACHMENT 3
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]
To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Global Corporate Trust
111 Fillmore Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55107
For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
In connection with any transfer of the within Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:
☐ To Nikola Corporation or a subsidiary thereof; or
☐ Pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and was effective at the time of such transfer; or
☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Dated: _____________________ | ||
Signature(s) | ||
Signature Guarantee | ||
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder. |
NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
2
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF NOTATIONAL GUARANTEE]
____________, 20__
The Guarantor named on the signature page hereto (hereinafter referred to as the Guarantor, which term includes any successors or assigns under that certain Indenture, dated as of [●], 2023 by and among Nikola Corporation (the Company), the guarantors party thereto and the trustee thereto (as may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the Indenture)), has guaranteed the Companys 8.00% / 11.00% Series B Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the Notes) and the Obligations of the Company under the Indenture. Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
The Obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 13 of the Indenture which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
No stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future of each Guarantor shall have any liability under this Note Guarantee by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator.
This is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of the Companys obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until released in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. This is a guarantee of payment and not of collection.
The Obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to ensure that it does not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or a voidable preference, financial assistance or improper corporate benefit, or violating the corporate purpose of the relevant Guarantor or any applicable capital maintenance or similar laws or regulations affecting the rights of creditors generally under any applicable law or regulation.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Notational Guarantee to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
[GUARANTOR], as a Guarantor | ||
By: | ||
Name: Title: |
[Signature Page to Notational Guarantee]