EX-4.1 2 d363957dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

CTR PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

and

CARETRUST CAPITAL CORP.,

as Issuers,

CARETRUST REIT, INC.,

as Parent and a Guarantor,

AND

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE

 

 

INDENTURE

 

 

Dated as of May 24, 2017

Debt Securities

 

 


ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION      1  

Section 1.1

 

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.2

 

Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     5  

Section 1.3

 

Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     6  

Section 1.4

 

Acts of Holders

     6  

Section 1.5

 

Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Issuers

     7  

Section 1.6

 

Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver

     7  

Section 1.7

 

Language of Notices, Etc.

     7  

Section 1.8

 

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     7  

Section 1.9

 

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     7  

Section 1.10

 

Successors and Assigns

     8  

Section 1.11

 

Separability Clause

     8  

Section 1.12

 

Benefits of Indenture

     8  

Section 1.13

 

Governing Law

     8  

Section 1.14

 

Legal Holidays

     8  

Section 1.15

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     8  

Section 1.16

 

Force Majeure

     8  

Section 1.17

 

U.S.A. Patriot Act

     8  

Section 1.18

 

Tax Withholding and Reporting

     9  
ARTICLE 2 SECURITY FORMS      9  

Section 2.1

 

Forms Generally

     9  

Section 2.2

 

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     9  

Section 2.3

 

Securities in Global Form

     10  
ARTICLE 3 THE SECURITIES      10  

Section 3.1

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     10  

Section 3.2

 

Denominations

     11  

Section 3.3

 

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     11  

Section 3.4

 

Temporary Securities

     13  

Section 3.5

 

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

     13  

Section 3.6

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     15  

Section 3.7

 

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     15  

Section 3.8

 

Persons Deemed Owners

     16  

Section 3.9

 

Cancellation

     16  

Section 3.10

 

Computation of Interest; Calculations

     16  

Section 3.11

 

CUSIP Numbers

     16  
ARTICLE 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE      17  

Section 4.1

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     17  

Section 4.2

 

Application of Trust Money

     17  
ARTICLE 5 REMEDIES      18  

Section 5.1

 

Events of Default

     18  

Section 5.2

 

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     18  

Section 5.3

 

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     19  

Section 5.4

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     19  

Section 5.5

 

Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities

     20  

Section 5.6

 

Application of Money Collected

     20  

Section 5.7

 

Limitation on Suits

     20  

Section 5.8

 

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

     21  

Section 5.9

 

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     21  

Section 5.10

 

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     21  

Section 5.11

 

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     21  

 

-i-


Section 5.12

 

Control by Holders of Securities

     21  

Section 5.13

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

     22  

Section 5.14

 

Undertaking for Costs

     22  
ARTICLE 6 THE TRUSTEE      22  

Section 6.1

 

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     22  

Section 6.2

 

Notice of Defaults

     23  

Section 6.3

 

Certain Rights of Trustee

     23  

Section 6.4

 

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     24  

Section 6.5

 

May Hold Securities

     24  

Section 6.6

 

Money Held in Trust

     24  

Section 6.7

 

Compensation and Reimbursement

     25  

Section 6.8

 

Disqualifications; Conflicting Interests

     25  

Section 6.9

 

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     25  

Section 6.10

 

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     25  

Section 6.11

 

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     26  

Section 6.12

 

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     27  

Section 6.13

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers and the Guarantor

     27  

Section 6.14

 

Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     28  
ARTICLE 7 HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY      29  

Section 7.1

 

Issuers To Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     29  

Section 7.2

 

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     29  

Section 7.3

 

Reports by Trustee

     29  

Section 7.4

 

Reports by the Issuers and the Guarantor

     29  
ARTICLE 8 GUARANTEE      30  

Section 8.1

 

Guarantee

     30  

Section 8.2

 

No Waiver

     31  

Section 8.3

 

Modification

     31  

Section 8.4

 

Non-Impairment

     31  

Section 8.5

 

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     32  
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE      32  

Section 9.1

 

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

     32  

Section 9.2

 

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     33  

Section 9.3

 

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     34  

Section 9.4

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     34  

Section 9.5

 

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     34  

Section 9.6

 

Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     34  
ARTICLE 10 COVENANTS      34  

Section 10.1

 

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest

     34  

Section 10.2

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     34  

Section 10.3

 

Money for Securities Payments To Be Held in Trust

     35  

Section 10.4

 

Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults

     35  
ARTICLE 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES      36  

Section 11.1

 

Applicability of Article

     36  

Section 11.2

 

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     36  

Section 11.3

 

Selection by Trustee of Securities To Be Redeemed

     36  

Section 11.4

 

Notice of Redemption

     36  

Section 11.5

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     37  

Section 11.6

 

Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     37  

Section 11.7

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

     37  

 

-ii-


ARTICLE 12 SINKING FUNDS      38  

Section 12.1

 

Applicability of Article

     38  

Section 12.2

 

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     38  

Section 12.3

 

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     38  
ARTICLE 13 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE      38  

Section 13.1

 

Issuers’ Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     38  

Section 13.2

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     39  

Section 13.3

 

Covenant Defeasance

     39  

Section 13.4

 

Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     39  

Section 13.5

 

Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions

     40  

Section 13.6

 

Reinstatement

     40  

 

-iii-


Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section  

§ 310 (a)(1)

     6.9  

(a)(2)

     6.9  

(a)(3)

     Not Applicable  

(a)(4)

     Not Applicable  

(a)(5)

     6.9  

(b)

     6.8, 6.10  

§ 311 (a)

     6.13  

(b)

     6.13  

§ 312 (a)

     7.1, 7.2(a)  

(b)

     7.2(b)  

(c)

     7.2(c)  

§ 313 (a)

     7.3(a)  

(b)(1)

     Not Applicable  

(b)(2)

     7.3(a)  

(c)

     7.3(a)  

(d)

     7.3(b)  

§ 314 (a)

     7.4; 10.4(a)  

(b)

     Not Applicable  

(c)(1)

     1.2  

(c)(2)

     1.2  

(c)(3)

     Not Applicable  

(d)

     Not Applicable  

(e)

     1.2  

§ 315 (a)

     6.1(a)  

(b)

     6.2  

(c)

     6.1(b)  

(d)

     6.1(c)  

(d)(1)

     6.1(a)(i),(c)(i)  

(d)(2)

     6.1(c)(ii)  

(d)(3)

     6.1(c)(iii)  

(e)

     5.14  

§ 316 (a)

     1.1  

(a)(1)(A)

     5.2, 5.12  

(a)(1)(B)

     5.13  

(a)(2)

     Not Applicable  

(b)

     5.8  

(c)

     1.4(d)  

§ 317 (a)(1)

     5.3  

(a)(2)

     5.4  

(b)

     10.3  

§ 318 (a)

     1.8  

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

-iv-


INDENTURE, dated as of May 24, 2017, between CTR Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, and CareTrust Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (“CareTrust Capital”, and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers” or each, an “Issuer”), CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Parent” or the “Guarantor”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

Recitals of The Issuers

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided;

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Issuers, in accordance with its terms, have been done; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the guarantee from time to time of the Issuers’ unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the benefit of each other and the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1 Definitions.

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(c) the phrase “in writing” as used herein shall be deemed to include .pdf attachments and other electronic means of transmission, unless otherwise indicated;

(d) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation; and

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

Act” when used with respect to any Holders has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.

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

Agent” means any Security Registrar, Paying Agent, or DTC Custodian.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

 

1


Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person or its manager (or, in the case of a limited partnership, of its general partner) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day,” except as may otherwise be provided in the form or terms of Securities of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, with respect to any Place of Payment means any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office or agency of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business relating to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at 333 S. Grand Avenue, 5th Floor Suite 5A , Los Angeles, CA 90071 MAC E2064-05A, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, and with respect to Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at 600 S. 4th Street, 7th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55479, MAC: N9300-070, Attention: Bondholder Communications, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers, or the principal 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 Issuers).

corporation” means any corporation and any association, partnership, limited liability company or business trust.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

Depositary” means with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuers pursuant to Section 3.1(c) until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the “Depositary” with respect to the Securities of that series.

Dollars” or “$” or any similar reference shall mean currency of the United States, which at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

DTC Custodian” means the Trustee as custodian with respect to the global Securities or any successor entity thereto.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute or statutes thereto.

Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Issuers’ obligations under the Securities of any applicable series by the Guarantor under this Indenture.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 8.1(a).

Guarantor” means (i) the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean such successor Person, and (ii) each Subsidiary of the Issuers that becomes a guarantor of any series of the Securities pursuant to the terms of such particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1. References to any “Guarantor” or the “Guarantor” in this Indenture shall, with respect to any series of Securities for which any Subsidiary of the Issuers becomes a guarantor consistent with clause (ii) above, be deemed to also refer to such Subsidiaries.

Holder” when used with respect to any Security means the Person in whose name the Security is registered in the Security Register.

 

2


Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

Interest” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity means interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date” means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on the applicable Securities.

Issuers” means each of the Person named as the “Issuers” in the first paragraph of this instrument.

Issuers Request” and “Issuers Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of each Issuer by an Officer of each Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.

Maturity” when used with respect to any Security means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or otherwise.

Officer” means any of the following with respect to any Person: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person; and, with respect to the Partnership, an individual holding any of the foregoing positions with CareTrust GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, acting on its behalf as the general partner of the Partnership.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of each of the Issuers, as applicable, and delivered to the Trustee. Unless otherwise specified herein, each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 1.2.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) be an employee of or counsel for the Issuers or Parent, or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee. Unless otherwise specified herein, each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 1.2 as required by the Trust Indenture Act.

Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture that provides for declaration of an amount less than the principal thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.

Outstanding” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuers or the Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuers (if the Issuers shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Securities as to which Legal Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 13.2; and

 

3


(iv) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers:

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security at the time the taking of such action by the Holders of such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in Section 1.4(a), and, provided, further, that Securities owned beneficially by the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate (other than officers or directors of the Issuers or the Guarantor) of the Issuers or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities that the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuers or such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all securities known by the Issuers to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuers to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Issuers.

Payment Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

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

Place of Payment” when used with respect to the Securities of any series means the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as provided pursuant to Section 3.1.

Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.

Redemption Date” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture, as applicable.

Redemption Price” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 that is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on a Security on any Interest Payment Date means the date, if any, specified in such Security as the “Regular Record Date.”

Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including president, any vice president (whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”), any assistant treasurer, any senior trust officer or trust officer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, who in each case shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Security” or “Securities” means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

 

4


Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.

Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at the time, and in each of clauses (i) and (ii) which would be consolidated with those of such Person in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if such statements were prepared as of such date.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any 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 instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

U.S.A. Patriot Act” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

Voting Stock” means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.

Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, signed by an Officer of each of the Issuers, and an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

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

 

5


(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.3 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents. Any certificate or opinion of an Officer of the Issuers may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such Officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers of the Issuers or the Guarantor unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may contain customary assumptions, qualifications, exceptions and limitations.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer of the Issuers, the Guarantor or Guarantors, or of counsel may be based insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by a firm of accountants or an accountant in the employ of the Issuers, the Guarantor or Guarantors, unless such Officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

Section 1.4 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers and any agent of the Trustee or the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner that the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(c) The ownership of Securities and the principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of any Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuers may, at their option, by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

6


(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Issuers, the Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

Section 1.5 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Issuers.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(a) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuers shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

(b) the Issuers by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the Issuers addressed to the attention of their chief financial officers at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Issuers.

Section 1.6 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the form of Securities of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register (or, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically), not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities. In the 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 by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.7 Language of Notices, Etc.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Issuers so elect, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.8 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

Section 1.9 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein, the Trust Indenture Act reconciliation, and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

7


Section 1.10 Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuers and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11 Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities or in any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.12 Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or in any Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Agent, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13 Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or the Securities other than a provision in the Securities that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 1.15 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, ANY GUARANTOR, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF ANY SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF 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 SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH OF THE ISSUERS AND ANY GUARANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.

Section 1.16 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, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 1.17 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (U.S.A. Patriot Act) Act of 2001, as amended (the “U.S.A. Patriot Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties hereto agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, including, but not limited to, each party’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information reasonably requested by the Trustee that will help the Trustee identify and verify each party’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information.

 

8


Section 1.18 Tax Withholding and Reporting.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto or by virtue of the relevant Holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements in respect of the Securities, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax. In connection with any proposed exchange of a certificated Security for a Security in global form, the Issuers or the Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee any information in the Issuer’s or DTC’s possession in the ordinary course of business that is reasonably necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

ARTICLE 2

SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.1 Forms Generally.

The Securities, if any, of each series and Securities in global form, if any, shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers of the Issuers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If the forms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each of the Issuers or, with respect to the Partnership, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of its general partner, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Issuers Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers of the Issuers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

The Guarantee of any applicable series of Securities shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers of the Guarantor executing such Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution of such Guarantee.

Section 2.2 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

The Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory
Dated:    

 

9


Section 2.3 Securities in Global Form.

If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, any such Security may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges or partial redemptions or increased to reflect the issuance of additional Securities. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons, as shall be specified therein or in the Issuers Order delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.3.

ARTICLE 3

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities and the series in which such Securities shall be included;

(b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such title and the Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7);

(c) whether Securities of the series may be issued in whole or in part in global form and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such Securities in global form, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Securities in global form may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for the individual Securities represented thereby;

(d) the date or dates on which the principal of such Securities is payable;

(e) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or method by which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(f) the place or places, if any, in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on, payable in respect of such Securities shall be payable, where such Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where such Securities may be surrendered for exchange and where notice and demands to or upon the Issuers, in respect of such Securities and this Indenture, may be served and where notices to Holders pursuant to Section 1.6 will be published;

(g) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers or a Holder and, in furtherance thereof, any addition to, elimination of, replacement of or other change in Article 11;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(i) the denominations in which Securities of the series, if any, shall be issuable if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(j) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that shall be payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

(k) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

10


(l) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(m) any addition to, elimination of, replacement of or other change in Article 5;

(n) whether and upon what terms the Securities of any series may be defeased if different from the provisions set forth herein;

(o) any addition to, elimination of, replacement of or other change in the covenants in Article 10;

(p) the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of the series shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America;

(q) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Issuers or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(r) whether the Securities will be guaranteed, including by Parent, and the terms of any such guarantee, the terms and conditions of such guarantees and provisions for the accession of the guarantors to certain obligations hereunder or any provisions for termination of guarantees, including any addition to, elimination of, replacement of or other change in Article 8;

(s) whether the Securities will have any conversion features;

(t) any addition to, elimination of, replacement of or other change in Article 1, Article 4, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 12 and Article 13; and

(u) any other terms of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture except as permitted by Section 9.1(d)).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and the rate or rates of interest, if any, issue date, issue price, redemption dates and sinking fund dates, if any, and Stated Maturity, the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue, the amount that shall be payable upon the declaration of acceleration and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series were established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each of the Issuers, or with respect to the Partnership, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of its general partner, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 3.2 Denominations.

Unless other denominations and amounts may from time to time be fixed by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Registered Securities of each series, if any, shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Issuers by an Officer of each of the Issuers. The signature of any of these Officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile in the form of a .pdf attachment or by other means of electronic transmission showing such signature. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

Securities bearing the signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper Officers of the Issuers shall bind the Issuers, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

 

11


At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Securities of any series, executed by the Issuers, to the Trustee for authentication, together with the Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and an Issuers Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Issuers Order and subject to the provisions hereof shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(a) that the form and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) that all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with and that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and

(c) as to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request;

provided, however, that if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Security, but such Opinion of Counsel, with appropriate modifications, may instead be delivered at or prior to the time of the first issuance of Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

If the Issuers shall establish pursuant to Section 3.1 that Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form, then the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Issuers Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Securities in global form that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an authorized aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and tenor to be represented by one or more Securities in global form, (ii) shall be registered, in the name of the Depositary for such Security or Securities in global form or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in certificated form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of CEDE & CO. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment is made to CEDE & CO., any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful since the registered owner hereof, CEDE & CO., has an interest herein.” Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.1 for a Security in global form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have the responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or 6.14 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuers, and the Issuers shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9 for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

12


Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute and deliver to the Trustee, and upon Issuers Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities of such series that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form without coupons and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers of the Issuers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form, representing all of the Outstanding Securities of such series and tenor.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable upon request for definitive Securities of such series containing identical terms and provisions upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at an office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.2, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to a temporary Security in global form, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Securities of each series, if any, the Issuers shall cause to be kept, at an office or agency of the Issuers maintained pursuant to Section 10.2, a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of the Securities of each series and of transfers of the Securities of each series. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers and exchanges of Securities as herein provided; provided, that the Issuers may, from time to time, designate (or change any designation of) any other Person or Persons to act as Security Registrar or co-Security Registrars with respect to the Securities of one or more series, with written notice to the Trustee and as provided in Section 1.6 to the Holders. At all reasonable times the Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Issuers. In the event that the Trustee shall not be the Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any office or agency of the Issuers maintained for that series pursuant to Section 10.2, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee, at the direction of the Issuers pursuant to an Issuers Order, shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series of an authorized denomination, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby, in definitive form, a Security in global form representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. In connection with any proposed exchange of a certificated Security for a Security in global form, the Issuers or the Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency of the Issuers maintained for that series pursuant to Section 10.2. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee, at the direction of the Issuers, shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer

 

13


be eligible under Section 3.3, the Issuers, by Issuers Order, shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuers receive such notice or become aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers’ election pursuant to Section 3.1(c) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Securities of such series and the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuers Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount and of like terms and tenor equal to the principal amount of the Security or Securities in global form representing such series in exchange for such Security or Securities in global form.

The Issuers may at any time and in their sole discretion determine that individual Securities of any series issued in global form shall no longer be represented by such Security or Securities in global form. In such event the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuers Order for the authentication and delivery of individual definitive Securities of such series and of the same terms and tenor, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities of such series in definitive form in authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Security or Securities in global form representing such series in exchange for such Security or Securities in global form.

If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Security in global form for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities of such series in definitive form and of like terms and tenor on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of an Issuers Order for the authentication and delivery of individual definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:

(a) to the Depositary or to each Person specified by such Depositary a new individual Security or Securities of the same series and of the same tenor, of authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Security in global form; and

(b) to such Depositary a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Security in global form and the aggregate principal amount of the individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee pursuant to an Issuers Order will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations.

Upon the exchange of a Security in global form for Securities in definitive form, at the direction of the Issuers, such Security in global form shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a Security in global form pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Security in global form, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee in writing. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the persons in whose names such Securities are so registered or to the Depositary.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee, at the direction of the Issuers, shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Issuers or the Security Registrar for such series of Security presented) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and such Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.

The Issuers shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of that series under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed.

 

14


Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee, at the direction of the Issuers pursuant to an Issuers Order, shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Issuers and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuers shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuers may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 3.7 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, if so provided in such Security, be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities affected (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, 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 Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such Special Record Date and, in the names and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of such Securities at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

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

 

15


Interest on Securities of any series that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer or other electronic means.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Issuers, the Guarantor or Guarantors, the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuers, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or any co-Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests and each of them may act or refrain from acting without liability on any information relating to such records provided by the Depositary.

Section 3.9 Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Issuers and the Guarantor may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuers or the Guarantor may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee at the direction of the Issuers. No securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be cancelled by it in its customary manner and it shall dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).

Section 3.10 Computation of Interest; Calculations.

Except as otherwise contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Issuers shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Securities, including but not limited to determination of Redemption Price, premium, if any, and any other amounts payable on the Securities. The Issuers will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Issuers will provide a schedule of their calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Issuers’ calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Issuers’ calculations to any Holder of the Securities upon the written request of such Holder.

Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuers in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

16


ARTICLE 4

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

Upon the direction of the Issuers by an Issuers Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities and any related Guarantee (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such series of Securities herein expressly provided for, rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee set forth in the last paragraph of this Section), and the Trustee, pursuant to an Issuers Order and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instructions acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities, when:

(a) either:

(i) all Securities of such series (and any related Guarantee) theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities of such series that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers or the Guarantor and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or the Guarantor or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(1) have become due and payable, or

(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(3) if redeemable at the option of the Issuers, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the names, and at the expense, of the Issuers,

and the Issuers or the Guarantor, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in U.S. dollars or U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities (and any related Guarantee) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuers or the Guarantor have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers or the Guarantor; and

(c) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series of Securities (and any related Guarantee) have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Issuers to the Holders under Section 10.1 (or the obligations of any guarantor or other obligor with respect to the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, as set forth in any supplemental indenture) and to the Trustee under Section 6.7 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) for whose payment such cash or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee; but such cash or U.S. Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to invest said cash and U.S. Government Obligations, except as it may agree with the Issuers.

Anything in this Article Four to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the Issuers’ written request any cash and U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 4.1

 

17


which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent satisfaction and discharge.

ARTICLE 5

REMEDIES

Section 5.1 Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in the payment of any interest on any of the Securities of such series as and when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of such series as and when the same becomes due and payable at Maturity, or default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due and payable by the terms of any of the Securities of such series; or

(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant, warranty or agreement in respect of the Securities of such series in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture (other than a covenant, warranty or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 consecutive days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery and providing written confirmation thereof, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of any Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of any Issuer or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(e) any Issuer shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it 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 admit in writing of its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing; or

(f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or (e)) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), may declare the entire principal of all Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become due and payable immediately.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or (e) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, the entire principal of all the Outstanding Securities, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of any series, and interest accrued thereon shall automatically become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

18


At any time after a declaration of acceleration (other than resulting from an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or (e)) with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to such series and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(a) the Issuers or the Guarantor have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(i) all overdue installments of interest on all Securities of that series,

(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(b) all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities of that series that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Issuers and the Guarantor covenant that if:

(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at its Maturity, redemption or otherwise,

the Issuers or the Guarantor will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any), at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Issuers or the Guarantor 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, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Issuers, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuers, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuers, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Issuers, the Guarantor or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 on the Issuers or the Guarantor for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

19


(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of that series, of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding. The Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ committee or other similar committee.

Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or 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 Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.

Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article, and after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.7; and

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest payable in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

Third: The balance, if any, to the Issuers or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

20


(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such 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 such Holders or Holders of any other series (it being agreed that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.7) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuers, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as provided in Section 5.7 and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities.

Section 5.12 Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series 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 Securities of such series, provided, that

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or involve the Trustee in any personal liability;

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of such series.

In the event the Trustee takes any action or follows any direction pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it from each of the Issuers and the Guarantor against any loss or expense caused by taking such action or following such direction.

 

21


Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Prior to a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 5.2 (other than resulting from an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or (e)), the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

(a) in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or

(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate that evidences that the requisite percentage of Holders have consented to such waiver, and, if the Securities are in certificated form, attaching copies of such consents. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his 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, suffered 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, against any party litigant in such suit, including the Trustee, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee or by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder of any Security for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) or interest on any overdue principal of any Security.

ARTICLE 6

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee,

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

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates (including Officer’s Certificates) or opinions (including Opinions of Counsel) 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 mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) 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 a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, 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 with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

22


(d) Whether or not therein expressly so 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) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder.

(f) In the absence of bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be responsible for the application of any money by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder, that is known to the Trustee as set forth in Section 6.3(l), with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail or electronically to all Holders of Securities of such series, notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series; provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.3 Certain Rights of Trustee.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuers Request or Issuers Order (other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3, 3.5 or 3.6, which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

23


(f) 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, note or other paper or document, or inquire as to the performance by the Issuers of any of their covenants in this Indenture, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) the permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct;

(i) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, but not limited to, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, whether as agent or otherwise, and to each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder;

(j) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(k) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(l) the Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default or be required to act (including the sending of any notice) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice from the Issuers or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series then outstanding of any event that is in fact such a default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

(m) the Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of Officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture; and

(n) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.

Section 6.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.5 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Issuers or the Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuers and the Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 6.6 Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be under any liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuers or the Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

24


Section 6.7 Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Issuers and the Guarantor agree, jointly and severally:

(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Issuers and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction); and

(c) to fully indemnify the Trustee and its directors, officers, employees, counsels and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense shall be determined to have been caused by such indemnified party’s own negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuers under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or Section 5.1(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

“Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 6.7 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.8 Disqualifications; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 6.9 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder, which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and its Corporate Trust Office in the United States. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation 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 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Issuers. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

 

25


(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuers.

(d) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any such Holder of a Security, or

(iii) 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 any such case, (i) the Issuers each by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of any series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Securities. If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the Trustee is removed, such removed Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee at the expense of the Issuers.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuers and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuers or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Securities.

(f) The Issuers shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in a manner provided in Section 1.6. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuers and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Issuers or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

26


(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuers, the Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and each such successor Trustee without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Issuers, the Guarantor or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuers and the Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, by sale or otherwise, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers and the Guarantor.

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuers or the Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Issuers or the Guarantor (or any such other obligor).

 

27


Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuers and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent 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 an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, by sale or otherwise, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Issuers. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuers. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Issuers and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Issuers agree to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

The provisions of Sections 3.8, 6.4 and 6.5 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:    
  As Authenticating Agent
By:    
  Authorized Signatory
Dated:    

 

28


If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Issuers wish to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.2) by the Issuers, shall appoint in accordance with this Section 6.14 an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Issuers with respect to such series of Securities.

ARTICLE 7

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1 Issuers To Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Issuers will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not later than May 1 and November 1 each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of the April 15 and October 15 preceding such May 1 or November 1, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee for each series as provided in Section 7.1, and (ii) received by the Trustee for each series in the capacity of Security Registrar if the Trustee is then acting in such capacity. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of the Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Trustee that neither the Issuers, the Guarantor nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee.

(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act within 60 days after January 1 of each year commencing in 2018, and at such other times as may be required by the Trust Indenture Act or as set forth in a supplemental indenture.

(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Issuers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 7.4 Reports by the Issuers and the Guarantor.

The Issuers and the Guarantor shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, information, documents and other reports and such summaries thereof as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the time and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that such information, documents and reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.

 

29


Delivery of such information, documents and reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ or the Guarantor’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates or statements delivered pursuant to Section 10.4(a)). All required information, documents and other reports referred to in this Section 7.4 shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the time such information, documents or other reports are publicly filed with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor system); provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether or not such filing has taken place. The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, our compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the Securities Exchange Commission or EDGAR or any website under this Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

ARTICLE 8

GUARANTEE

Section 8.1 Guarantee.

(a) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (1) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Securities, whether for payment of principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, the Securities and all other monetary obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Securities and (2) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuers whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from the Guarantor, and that the Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b) The Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuers of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. The Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Securities or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuers or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; or (5) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(c) The Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuer first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuers’ or such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by the Guarantor hereunder. The Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuers be sued prior to an action being initiated against the Guarantor.

(d) The Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Indenture, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, 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 Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities 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 the Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

30


(f) Except as expressly set forth in this Indenture, the Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuers or otherwise.

(g) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against the Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuers to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, the Guarantor, hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (1) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (2) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (3) all other monetary obligations of the Issuers to the Holders and the Trustee.

(h) The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of the Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in this Indenture, the Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 8.1.

(i) The Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 8.1.

(j) Upon request of the Trustee, the Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 8.2 No Waiver.

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 8.3 Modification.

No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article, nor the consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Guarantor in any case shall entitle the Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

Section 8.4 Non-Impairment.

The failure to endorse a Guarantee on any Security shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

31


Section 8.5 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

The Guarantor, and by its acceptance of any series of Securities, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any applicable U.S. federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or other similar law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of the Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor, will result in the obligations of the Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Until such time as the Securities of any series are paid in full, the Guarantor, with respect to such series of Securities, hereby waives all rights of subrogation, whether arising by contract or operation of law (including, without limitation, any such right arising under federal bankruptcy law) or otherwise by reason of any payment by it pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantor, in each case, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to any Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of such Issuer or the Guarantor herein and in the Securities contained, as the case may be; or

(b) to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers or the Guarantor; or

(c) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal (or premium, if any) on Securities or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(d) to add to, change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture; provided, that any such addition, change or elimination (i) shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision or (ii) shall not apply to any Security Outstanding, in each case unless otherwise specified in the terms of the series of Securities as permitted by Section 3.1; or

(e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or

(g) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or

(h) to make any other terms or provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture that shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(i) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or

(j) to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be applicable to less than all series of Securities stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely to be applicable to such series) or to delete or revise any Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities not yet Outstanding; or

 

32


(k) to conform the text of this Indenture, any Securities and any guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section or other relevant section describing the terms of such securities of the applicable prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering circular or memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, such Securities or such guarantee as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate; or

(l) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of the Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(m) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 4.1, 13.2 and 13.3; provided that any such action pursuant to this clause shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any respect; or

(n) comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

(o) to provide for the guarantee of, or to secure, all or any series of Securities and the terms thereof.

Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Trustee, the Issuers and the Guarantor, in each case when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may 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, or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental Indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or

(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 5.13, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(d) adversely affect the right to repayment, if any, of Securities of any series at the option of the Holders thereof.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

33


Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be given, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and an Opinion of Counsel that such supplemental indenture will be the valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and the Guarantor or the Guarantors enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.6 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuers shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuers, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE 10

COVENANTS

Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

The Issuers covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that they will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuers or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuers will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and each of the Issuers hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

34


Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to a series of Securities, the Issuers hereby designate as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Corporate Trust Office and the Corporate Trust Office as the Issuers’ office or agency for each of such purposes.

Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments To Be Held in Trust.

If the Issuers shall at any time act as their own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, they will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, they will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such amount as provided in the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of their action or failure so to act.

The Issuers will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(b) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(c) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Issuers may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuers Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuers or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuers or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Subject to applicable escheatment laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on Issuers Request, or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 10.4 Statement as to Compliance; Notice of Certain Defaults.

(a) The Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 1.2, signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of each Issuer, or, with respect to the Partnership, signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of its general partner, stating that to the best of his knowledge, (i) such Issuer has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to him and the nature and status thereof, and (ii) no event has occurred and is continuing that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, or, if such event has occurred and is continuing, specifying each such event known to him and the nature and status thereof.

(b) The Issuers will deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event that after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to clause (d) of Section 5.1 and what actions have been taken to cure such event or Event of Default.

 

35


ARTICLE 11

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) this Article.

Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

The election of the Issuers to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuers of the Securities of any series, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuers (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate stating (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and (iv) the Redemption Price (or manner of calculation if not then known).

Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities To Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series having the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are then listed, or, if the Securities are not so listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot and in each case in accordance and subject to applicable DTC procedures or regulations as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof that is also an authorized denomination) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

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

Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing (or, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically) in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof. Any notice that is mailed (or, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically) to the Holder of any Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date,

(b) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating the Redemption Price) and accrued interest, if any,

(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

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

(e) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and, if applicable, that unless the Issuers default interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

36


(f) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,

(g) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(h) the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed; and

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

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuers shall be given by the Issuers or, at the Issuers’ request and provision of such request together with the notice of redemption to be delivered at least 15 days prior to the notice being sent by the Trustee (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers.

Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 12:00 noon Eastern Time on any Redemption Date, the Issuers or the Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuers are acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given to the Holders by the Issuers or the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.4, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Issuers and the Guarantor shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuers at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Issuers maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 10.2 (with, if the Issuers or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security (or as to any global Security transfer by book entry), without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

37


ARTICLE 12

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1 Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series or as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Issuers may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption) theretofore purchased or receive credit for Securities (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased by the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 3.9, and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities; provided, that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If, as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Issuers Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Issuers from time to time pay over and deliver to the Issuers any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuers to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Issuers having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Issuers.

Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Issuers shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuers in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.

ARTICLE 13

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 13.1 Issuers’ Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series or as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture, the provisions of this Article 13 shall apply to each series of Securities, and the Issuers may, at its option, effect legal defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 13.2, or covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 13.3, in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article 13.

 

38


Section 13.2 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise of the option provided in Section 13.1 applicable to this Section 13.2 with respect to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Issuers shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.4 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3 and with respect to the Trustee, including but not limited to those under Section 6.7, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Issuers may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 13.3.

Section 13.3 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise of the option provided in Section 13.1 applicable to this Section 13.3 with respect to any Securities of or within a series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Issuers and the Guarantor shall be released from their obligations under any covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(o) or 9.1(b) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(c) (with respect to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.1(o) or 9.1(b) and 5.1(f)) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(f)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

Section 13.4 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:

(1) The Issuers or the Guarantor, or Guarantors shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) cash in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.

(2) In the event of an election under Section 13.2, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.

 

39


(3) In the event of an election under Section 13.3, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.

(4) The Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.

(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 5.1(d) and (e), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).

(6) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).

(7) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuers are a party or by which it is bound.

(8) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.

(9) The Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 13.5 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon Issuers Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.

Section 13.6 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Issuers have been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.2 or 13.3 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Issuers make any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.

* * * * *

 

40


This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF 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 or .pdf attachment shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

41


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

 

CTR PARTNERSHIP, L.P., as Issuer,
By:   CareTrust GP, LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ William M. Wagner
  Name:   William M. Wagner
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
CARETRUST CAPITAL CORP., as Issuer,
By:   /s/ William M. Wagner
  Name:   William M. Wagner
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
CARETRUST REIT, INC., as Parent and a Guarantor,
By:   /s/ William M. Wagner
  Name:   William M. Wagner
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

[Signature page to Indenture]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee,
By:   /s/ Maddy Hughes
  Name:   Maddy Hughes
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature page to Indenture]