Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

December 15, 2006

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

ON Semiconductor Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

000-30419   36-3840979
(Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5005 E. McDowell Road

Phoenix, Arizona

  85008
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip Code)

602-244-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes

On December 15, 2006, ON Semiconductor Corporation (the “Company”) issued and sold to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse (USA) LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. (the “Initial Purchasers”) $484 million aggregate principal amount of 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”), which included $44 million aggregate principal amount of notes issued upon the exercise of the Initial Purchasers’ overallotment option. The Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of December 15, 2006 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. See Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K for a description of the Indenture and the Notes issued pursuant thereto.

The Company used approximately $230 million of the net proceeds from the Notes offering to repurchase, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes, shares of the Company’s common stock in privately-negotiated transactions, or approximately 30.7 million shares.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the closing of the sale of the Notes, on December 15, 2006, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Initial Purchasers. See Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K for a description of the Registration Rights Agreement.

Other

Certain of the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates have from time to time performed, and may in the future perform, various investment banking, financial advisory and lending services for the Company and its affiliates, for which they have received and will receive customary fees.

 

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information provided in response to Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes

On December 15, 2006, the Company issued and sold $484 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes in a private placement to the initial purchasers for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the

 

2


“Securities Act”). The purchase price paid by the Initial Purchasers for the Notes was 97.45% (net of discounts and commissions) of the initial offering price thereof (which was 100% of par value).

In connection with the closing of the sale of $484 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes, on December 15, 2006, the Company entered into the Indenture governing the Notes and issued a global note (the “Global Note”) in an aggregate principal amount of $484 million registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company. Copies of the Indenture and the form of Global Note are filed herewith as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively. The following description of the Indenture and the Global Note are qualified in their entirety by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, which are incorporated by reference herein.

Maturity. The Notes will mature on December 15, 2026, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted.

Interest. The Notes provide for interest at a rate of 2.625% per annum on the principal amount from the issue date, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2007. Payments of principal or interest on the Notes that are not made when due will accrue interest at an annual rate of 1% above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes from the required payment date.

Conversion Rights. The Notes are convertible by holders into cash and shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of 95.2381shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to adjustment in certain events), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $10.50 per share of common stock.

Holders can convert their Notes under any of the following conditions:

 

    during the five business-day period immediately following any five consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each day of such period was less than 103% of the product of the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate;

 

    upon the occurrence of specified corporate events; or

 

    after June 15, 2013.

Upon valid tender of Notes for conversion, the Company will pay, on the third trading day immediately following the last day of the related twenty trading-day observation period, cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, if any, based on a daily conversion value calculated on a proportionate basis for each day of the relevant twenty trading-day observation period, subject to the Company’s right to pay the share amount in additional cash. The daily settlement amount for each of the 20 trading days during the observation period consists of: (1) cash equal to the lesser of $50 and the daily conversion value relating to such day, and (2) if the daily conversion value exceeds $50, a number of shares of Company common stock equal to (A) the difference between such daily conversion value and $50, divided by (B) the price of the Company’s common stock for such day. Instead of delivering shares of the Company’s common

 

3


stock in satisfaction of its obligation to deliver the net share amount upon conversion of Notes, the Company may elect to deliver an additional amount of cash. The amount would be equal to the sum of the amount, if any, by which the daily conversion value exceeds $50 for each of the 20 trading days during the related observation period.

In addition, if specified “fundamental changes” occur prior to December 15, 2013, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its Notes in connection with such a fundamental change upon conversion in certain circumstances.

Note Guarantees. The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by certain existing and future subsidiaries of the Company.

Ranking. The Notes will be the Company’s general unsecured obligations, will be subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness, will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness and will be senior in right of payment to all the Company’s other existing and future subordinated obligations. The Notes also will be effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s and the Company’s subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and to all liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, which are not guaranteeing the Notes, and any future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes.

The note guarantees will be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the note guarantors, including all guarantees of the note guarantors under senior indebtedness. The note guarantees will rank equal in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness of the note guarantors and will be senior to all of the existing and future subordinated obligations of the note guarantors.

Optional Redemption. Beginning on December 20, 2013, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, for cash at a price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Repurchase at Option of the Holder upon a Designated Event. If a designated event occurs prior to maturity of the Notes, holders may require the Company to repurchase all or part of the holder’s Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus (subject to certain exceptions) accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

Repurchase at Option of the Holder. Holders may require the Company to repurchase the Notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes on December 15 of 2013, 2016 and 2021, plus (subject to certain exceptions) accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

Underwriting commissions and discounts in connection with the sale of the Notes were approximately $12.3 million.

Registration Rights Agreement

 

4


In connection with the closing of the sale of the Notes, on December 15, 2006, the Company entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial Purchasers. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.3. The following description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 4.3, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to file a shelf registration statement with the SEC, or otherwise designate an existing effective registration statement filed with the SEC, covering the resale of the Notes and the underlying common stock and to cause the shelf registration statement to become effective (unless such shelf registration statement is a previously filed shelf registration statement that is effective at the time it is so designated) within 210 days of the closing date of this offering and to use its reasonable best efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earlier of: (a) such time as all of the registrable securities have been sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement or sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other similar provision then in force (but not Rule 144A), or (b) the expiration of the holding period applicable to such securities held by persons that are not affiliates of the Company under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, or any successor provision.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

On December 18, 2006, the Company announced in a news release updated interest expense and share count guidance in connection with its various financing transactions and the repurchase of certain of the Company’s common stock. A copy of ON Semiconductor Corporation’s news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in Item 8.01 (including exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liability of that section. The information in this report (including its exhibit) shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of businesses Acquired.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

(c) Shell Company Transactions.

(d) Exhibits.

 

5


Exhibit   

Description

  4.1    Indenture dated as of December 15, 2006, among ON Semiconductor Corporation, the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Trust Company Americas
  4.2    Form of 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.1)
  4.3    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 15, 2006, among ON Semiconductor Corporation and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse (USA) LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.
99.1    News release for ON Semiconductor Corporation dated December 18, 2006 titled “ON Semiconductor Updates Interest Expense and Share Count Guidance after Successful Senior Bank Facility Prepayment and Share Repurchase” (1)

(1) This exhibit is furnished and not “filed” with this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

6


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: December 19, 2006

 

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:   /s/ DONALD COLVIN
  Donald Colvin
 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer

 

7


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit   

Description

  4.1    Indenture dated as of December 15, 2006, among ON Semiconductor Corporation, the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Trust Company Americas
  4.2    Form of 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.1)
  4.3    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 15, 2006, among ON Semiconductor Corporation and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse (USA) LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.
99.1    News release for ON Semiconductor Corporation dated December 18, 2006 titled “ON Semiconductor Updates Interest Expense and Share Count Guidance after Successful Senior Bank Facility Prepayment and Share Repurchase” (1)

(1) This exhibit is furnished and not “filed” with this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

8

Indenture dated as of December 15, 2006

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION COPY

 


ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION,

the Guarantors listed herein

and

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas,

as Trustee

2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026

 


INDENTURE

Dated as of

December 15, 2006

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
  

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

  

SECTION 1.01.

   Definitions    1
  

ARTICLE 2

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

  

SECTION 2.01.

   Designation Amount and Issue of Notes    17

SECTION 2.02.

   Form of Notes    17

SECTION 2.03.

   Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Additional Interest    18

SECTION 2.04.

   Execution of Notes    20

SECTION 2.05.

   Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer    20

SECTION 2.06.

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes    26

SECTION 2.07.

   Temporary Notes    27

SECTION 2.08.

   Cancellation of Notes    28

SECTION 2.09.

   CUSIP Numbers    28
  

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF NOTES

  

SECTION 3.01.

   Redemption of Notes    28

SECTION 3.02.

   Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes    29

SECTION 3.03.

   Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Company    30

SECTION 3.04.

   Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption    31

SECTION 3.05.

   Repurchase at Option of Noteholders Upon a Designated Event    31

SECTION 3.06.

   Repurchase of Notes by the Company at Option of the Noteholder    35

SECTION 3.07.

   Company Repurchase Notice    36

SECTION 3.08.

   Effect of Repurchase Notice    37

SECTION 3.09.

   Deposit of Repurchase Price    38

SECTION 3.10.

   Notes Repurchased in Part    38

SECTION 3.11.

   Repayment to the Company    38
  

ARTICLE 4

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

  

 

i


  

ARTICLE 5

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

  

SECTION 5.01.

   Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Interest    38

SECTION 5.02.

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    39

SECTION 5.03.

   Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office    39

SECTION 5.04.

   Provisions as to Paying Agent    39

SECTION 5.05.

   Rule 144A Information Requirement    41

SECTION 5.06.

   Compliance Certificate    41

SECTION 5.07.

   Further Instruments and Acts    41

SECTION 5.08.

   Future Note Guarantors    41

SECTION 5.09.

   Senior Subordinated Indebtedness; Limitations on Liens    41

SECTION 5.10.

   Additional Interest    42
  

ARTICLE 6

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

  

SECTION 6.01.

   Noteholders’ Lists    42

SECTION 6.02.

   Preservation and Disclosure of Lists    42

SECTION 6.03.

   Reports by Trustee    43

SECTION 6.04.

   Reports by Company    43
  

ARTICLE 7

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

  

SECTION 7.01.

   Events of Default    43

SECTION 7.02.

   Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor    47

SECTION 7.03.

   Application of Monies Collected by Trustee    49

SECTION 7.04.

   Proceedings by Noteholder    49

SECTION 7.05.

   Proceedings by Trustee    50

SECTION 7.06.

   Remedies Cumulative and Continuing    50

SECTION 7.07.

   Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Noteholders    51

SECTION 7.08.

   Notice of Defaults    51

SECTION 7.09.

   Undertaking to Pay Costs    51
  

ARTICLE 8

THE TRUSTEE

  

SECTION 8.01.

   Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee    52

SECTION 8.02.

   Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc    53

SECTION 8.03.

   No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc    55

SECTION 8.04.

   Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes    55

SECTION 8.05.

   Monies to be Held in Trust    55

SECTION 8.06.

   Compensation and Expenses of Trustee    55

SECTION 8.07.

   Officers’ Certificate as Evidence    56

 

ii


SECTION 8.08.    Conflicting Interests of Trustee    56
SECTION 8.09.    Eligibility of Trustee    56
SECTION 8.10.    Resignation or Removal of Trustee    56
SECTION 8.11.    Acceptance by Successor Trustee    58
SECTION 8.12.    Succession by Merger    58
SECTION 8.13.    Preferential Collection of Claims    59
SECTION 8.14.    Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company    59
  

ARTICLE 9

THE NOTEHOLDERS

  
SECTION 9.01.    Action by Noteholders    59
SECTION 9.02.    Proof of Execution by Noteholders    60
SECTION 9.03.    Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners    60
SECTION 9.04.    Company-Owned Notes Disregarded    60
SECTION 9.05.    Revocation of Consents, Future Noteholders Bound    61
  

ARTICLE 10

MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS

  
SECTION 10.01.    Purpose of Meetings    61
SECTION 10.02.    Call of Meetings by Trustee    61
SECTION 10.03.    Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders    62
SECTION 10.04.    Qualifications for Voting    62
SECTION 10.05.    Regulations    62
SECTION 10.06.    Voting    63
SECTION 10.07.    No Delay of Rights by Meeting    63
  

ARTICLE 11

AMENDMENTS; SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

  
SECTION 11.01.    Amendment or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Noteholders    64
SECTION 11.02.    Amendment or Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Noteholders    65
SECTION 11.03.    Effect of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture    67
SECTION 11.04.    Notation on Notes    67
SECTION 11.05.    Evidence of Compliance of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee    67
SECTION 11.06.    Execution of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors    67
  

ARTICLE 12

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

  
SECTION 12.01.    When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets    68
SECTION 12.02.    Successor to Be Substituted    69

 

iii


  

ARTICLE 13

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

  

SECTION 13.01.

   Discharge of Indenture    70

SECTION 13.02.

   Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee    70

SECTION 13.03.

   Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held    70

SECTION 13.04.

   Return of Unclaimed Monies    71

SECTION 13.05.

   Reinstatement    71
  

ARTICLE 14

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  

SECTION 14.01.

   Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations    71
  

ARTICLE 15

CONVERSION OF NOTES

  

SECTION 15.01.

   Right to Convert    72

SECTION 15.02.

   Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Settlement Upon Conversion; No Adjustment for Dividends    75

SECTION 15.03.

   Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares    79

SECTION 15.04.

   Conversion Rate    80

SECTION 15.05.

   Adjustment of Conversion Rate    80

SECTION 15.06.

   Effect of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale    88

SECTION 15.07.

   Taxes on Shares Issued    89

SECTION 15.08.

   Reservation of Shares, Shares to Be Fully Paid; Listing of Common Stock    90

SECTION 15.09.

   Responsibility of Trustee    90

SECTION 15.10.

   Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions    91

SECTION 15.11.

   Shareholder Rights Plans    92
  

ARTICLE 16

SUBORDINATION

  

SECTION 16.01.

   Agreement to Subordinate    92

SECTION 16.02.

   Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy    92

SECTION 16.03.

   Default on Senior Indebtedness    93

SECTION 16.04.

   Acceleration of Payment of Notes    94

SECTION 16.05.

   When Distribution Must Be Paid Over    94

SECTION 16.06.

   Subrogation    94

SECTION 16.07.

   Relative Rights    94

SECTION 16.08.

   Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company    94

SECTION 16.09.

   Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent    94

SECTION 16.10.

   Distribution or Notice to Representative    95

SECTION 16.11.

   Article 16 Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate    95

SECTION 16.12.

   Trust Monies Not Subordinated    95

 

iv


SECTION 16.13.

   Trustee Entitled to Rely    95

SECTION 16.14.

   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination    96

SECTION 16.15.

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness    96

SECTION 16.16.

   Reliance by Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions    96
  

ARTICLE 17

NOTE GUARANTEES

  

SECTION 17.01.

   Note Guarantees    96

SECTION 17.02.

   Limitation on Liability    99

SECTION 17.03.

   Successors and Assigns    99

SECTION 17.04.

   No Waiver    99

SECTION 17.05.

   Modification    100

SECTION 17.06.

   Execution of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors    100

SECTION 17.07.

   Non-Impairment    100
  

ARTICLE 18

SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTE GUARANTEES

  

SECTION 18.01.

   Agreement to Subordinate    100

SECTION 18.02.

   Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy    101

SECTION 18.03.

   Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor    101

SECTION 18.04.

   Demand for Payment    102

SECTION 18.05.

   When Distribution Must Be Paid Over    102

SECTION 18.06.

   Subrogation    102

SECTION 18.07.

   Relative Rights    103

SECTION 18.08.

   Subordination May Not Be Impaired by a Note Guarantor    103

SECTION 18.09.

   Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent    103

SECTION 18.10.

   Distribution or Notice to Representative    104

SECTION 18.11.

   Article 18 Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate    104

SECTION 18.12.

   Trustee Entitled to Rely    104

SECTION 18.13.

   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination    104

SECTION 18.14.

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor    104

SECTION 18.15.

   Reliance by Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor on Subordination Provisions    105

SECTION 18.16.

   Defeasance    105
  

ARTICLE 19

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

  

SECTION 19.01.

   Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors    105

SECTION 19.02.

   Official Acts by Successor Corporation    105

 

v


SECTION 19.03.

   Addresses for Notices, Etc    105

SECTION 19.04.

   Governing Law    106

SECTION 19.05.

   Evidence of Compliance With Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee    106

SECTION 19.06.

   Legal Holidays    106

SECTION 19.07.

   Trust Indenture Act    106

SECTION 19.08.

   No Security Interest Created    107

SECTION 19.09.

   Benefits of Indenture    107

SECTION 19.10.

   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc    107

SECTION 19.11.

   Authenticating Agent    107

SECTION 19.12.

   Execution in Counterparts    108

SECTION 19.13.

   Severability    108

Schedule A

Exhibit A Form of Note

 

vi


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

  

Indenture

Section

310(a)(1)

   8.09

      (a)(2)

   8.09

      (a)(3)

   N.A.

      (a)(4)

   N.A.

      (a)(5)

   8.09

      (b)

   8.08

      (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   8.13

      (b)

   8.13

      (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   6.01

      (b)

   6.02(b)

      (c)

   6.02(c)

313(a)

   6.03

      (b)(1)

   N.A.

      (b)(2)

   6.03

      (c)

   6.03; 19.03

      (d)

   6.03(b)

314(a)

   5.06; 6.04

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)(1)

   19.05

      (c)(2)

   19.05

      (c)(3)

   N.A.

      (d)

   N.A.

      (e)

   19.05

      (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   8.01; 8.02

      (b)

   7.08; 19.03

      (c)

   8.01

      (d)

   8.01

      (e)

   7.09

316(a)(last sentence)

   9.04

      (a)(1)(A)

   7.07

      (a)(1)(B)

   7.07

      (a)(2)

   N.A.

      (b)

   7.04

      (c)

   9.01

317(a)(1)

   7.02; 7.05

      (a)(2)

   7.02

      (b)

   5.04

318(a)

   19.07

N.A. means not applicable

 

Note: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

vii


INDENTURE

INDENTURE dated as of December 15, 2006, between ON Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 5005 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, SCG (Malaysia SMP) Holding Corporation, SCG (Czech) Holding Corporation, SCG (China) Holding Corporation, Semiconductor Components Industries Puerto Rico, Inc., Semiconductor Components Industries of Rhode Island, Inc., SCG International Development LLC and Semiconductor Components Industries International of Rhode Island, Inc., as guarantors (collectively, the “Note Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issue of its 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026 (hereinafter called the “Notes”), in an unlimited principal amount and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Notes, the certificate of authentication to be borne by the Notes, a form of assignment, a form of Designated Event repurchase notice, a form of repurchase notice and a form of conversion notice to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided for; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company and the Note Guarantors, and to constitute this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized,

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the holders thereof, each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all


purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

Adjustment Event” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(l).

Additional Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

Additional Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01(d)(i).

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(v).

Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may be, at the option of the lessor, extended).

Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or scheduled redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (b) the then outstanding sum of all such payments.

Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of the Credit Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, as amended from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating

 

2


to the Company or Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof. It is understood and agreed that Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Credit Agreement may be Incurred from time to time after termination of the Credit Agreement.

Blockage Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 16.03.

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day” means each day which is not a legal holiday in New York State.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, partnership, membership or other interests, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock (but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity) and any rights to purchase, warrants, options or similar interests with respect to the foregoing.

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

Closing Date” means the date of this Indenture.

Closing Sale Price” of the shares of Common Stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or if the Company’s common stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, then as reported on such date in composite transactions for the principal United States national or regional securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, then as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated. In the absence of such quotations, the Company shall be entitled to determine the Closing Sale Price on the basis it considers appropriate, and such determination shall be conclusive. The Closing Sale Price shall be determined without reference to extended or after hours trading.

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

 

3


this Indenture 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.

Common Stock” means any stock of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company. Subject to the provisions of Section 15.06, however, shares issuable on conversion of Notes shall include only shares of the class designated as common stock of the Company at the date of this Indenture (namely, the Common Stock, par value $0.01) or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption by the Company; provided that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable on conversion shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.

Company” means the corporation named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 12 and Section 15.06, shall include its successors and assigns.

Company Repurchase Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(b).

Company Repurchase Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(b).

Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 15.02(e).

Conversion Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

Conversion Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).

Conversion Price” as of any day will equal $1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.

Conversion Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 15.04.

Conversion Retraction Period” has the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).

Corporate Trust Office” or other similar term, means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business as it relates to this Indenture shall be administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at 60 Wall Street, New York 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Noteholders and the Company.

 

4


Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 4, 1999, as amended and restated on February 6, 2006, and as further amended on March 3, 2006, September 27, 2006 and December 8, 2006, among Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company named therein, the lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent and syndication agent, including any collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof (except to the extent that any such amendment, supplement, modification, extension, renewal, restatement or refunding would be prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the Noteholders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding) and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof.

Currency Agreement” means with respect to any Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreements or other similar agreement or arrangement to which such Person is a party.

Current Market Price” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(h)(i).

Custodian” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Daily Conversion Value” means, for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the Observation Period, one-twentieth (1/20) of the product of (a) the applicable Conversion Rate and (b) the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock (or the Reference Property pursuant to Section 15.06) on such day.

Daily Settlement Amount,” for each of the 20 Trading Days during the Observation Period, shall consist of:

(i) cash (the “Daily Cash Amount”) equal to the lesser of $50 and the Daily Conversion Value relating to such day; and

(ii) if such Daily Conversion Value exceeds $50, a number of shares of Common Stock (the “Daily Share Amount”) equal to (A) the difference between such Daily Conversion Value and $50, divided by (B) the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock for such day.

Daily VWAP” for the Common Stock means, for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the Observation Period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page ONNN <equity> AQR in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the

 

5


market value of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day as the Board of Directors determines in good faith using a volume-weighted method, which determination shall be conclusive). The Daily VWAP of any Reference Property shall be calculated in a manner determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to most closely approximate the methodology for determining the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock set forth in this definition.

Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c).

Depositary” means, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Notes. The Depository Trust Company shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Designated Event” means any Fundamental Change or a Termination of Trading.

Designated Event Expiration Time” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(b).

Designated Event Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(b).

Designated Event Repurchase Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a).

Designated Event Repurchase Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a)(i).

Designated Event Repurchase Price” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a).

Designated Notes” means (a) the 2024 Notes, (b) the 2025 Notes and (c) any other indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money that (i) is in the form of, or represented by, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities (other than promissory notes or similar evidence of indebtedness under bank loans, reimbursement agreements or receivables facilities) or any guarantee thereof and (ii) is, or may be, quoted, listed or purchased and sold on any stock exchange, automated securities trading system or over-the-counter or other securities market (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the market for securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).

Designated Senior Indebtedness” of the Company means (a) the Bank Indebtedness and (b) any other Senior Indebtedness of the Company that, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the

 

6


date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $25 million and is specifically designated by the Company in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture. “Designated Senior Indebtedness” of a Note Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Determination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(l).

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any event (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (c) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c) on or prior to 90 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock that so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be deemed Disqualified Stock; provided further, however, that Capital Stock issued to any plan for the benefit of employees shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01(d)(ii).

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 7.01 as an Event of Default.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Ex-Dividend Time” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01(b).

Expiration Time” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(f).

Fair Market Value” means with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. For all purposes of this Indenture, Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Fundamental Change” means the occurrence of any transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with which all or substantially all of the Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitutes solely the right to receive, consideration which is not all or substantially all common stock (or comparable equity security of a non-U.S. entity) that is listed on or

 

7


immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the American Stock Exchange.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (a) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (b) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (c) such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (d) the rules and regulations of the Commission governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the Commission. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

Global Note” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any Indebtedness.

Guarantee Blockage Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 18.03.

Guarantee Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 18.03.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 17.01(a).

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person, to issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing immediately after the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a

 

8


correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, without duplication, the following items if and to the extent that any of them (other than items specified under clauses (c), (h), (i) and (j) below) would appear as a liability or, in the case of clause (f) only, Preferred Stock on the balance sheet of such Person, prepared in accordance with GAAP, on such date:

(a) the principal amount of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

(b) the principal amount of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(c) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto but excluding obligations in respect of letters of credit issued in respect of Trade Payables);

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than twelve months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or the completion of such services;

(e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Debt of such Person;

(f) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

(g) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

(h) Hedging Obligations of such Person;

(i) all obligations of such Person in respect of a Receivables Facility; and

(j) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (i) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee.

 

9


The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations described above, at such date; provided, however, that the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount will be deemed to be the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unaccreted portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Independent Nationally Recognized Securities Dealer” means any Initial Purchaser or its successor (so long as such successor is a primary dealer of U.S. Treasury securities) or any other primary dealer of U.S. Treasury securities.

Initial Purchasers” means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. (each an “Initial Purchaser”).

Interest Payment Date” means each June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15, 2007.

Interest Rate Agreement” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party.

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

Measurement Period” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a)(i).

Merger Event” has the meaning specified in Section 15.06.

Net Share Amount” the number of shares of Common Stock, equal to the sum of the Daily Share Amounts for each of the 20 Trading Days during the related Observation Period.

Note Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the obligations with respect to the Notes issued by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

Note Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that has issued a Note Guarantee.

Notes” means the Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

10


Noteholder” or “holder” as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Registrar’s books.

Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05.

Note Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05.

Notice Date” means the date of mailing of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.02.

Notice of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01(l).

Observation Period” with respect to any Note means the 20 consecutive trading-day period beginning on and including the third Trading Day after the delivery of a Conversion Notice to the Conversion Agent or, if the Company has elected to pay the Net Share Amount in cash, the Trading Day after the last day of the Conversion Retraction Period.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company.

Officers’ Certificate”, means a certificate signed by two Officers of such Person issuing such certification.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) from a legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, the counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, a Note Guarantor or the Trustee.

outstanding”, when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 9.04, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 13;

(c) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06; and

 

11


(d) Notes converted into Common Stock pursuant to Article 15 and Notes deemed not outstanding pursuant to Article 3.

pay the Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 16.03.

pay its Guarantee” has the meaning specified in Section 18.03.

Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 16.03.

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.

Portal Market” means The Portal Market operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any successor thereto.

Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in exchange for a mutilated Note or in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.

Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

Purchase Agreement” means the Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2006, among the Initial Purchasers, the Company and the Note Guarantors.

Purchased Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(f)(i).

Receivables Facility” means one or more receivables financing facilities, as amended from time to time, pursuant to which the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to arrangements customary in the industry.

Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(h)(ii).

Redemption Price” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01.

Reference Property” has the meaning specified in Section 15.06(b).

Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in

 

12


exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Indebtedness of the Company that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, however, that (a) the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (b) the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (c) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (d) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (i) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (ii) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2006, between the Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Regular Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).

Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness as identified by the Company to the Trustee pursuant to a written notice from the Company or any Note Guarantor.

Repurchase Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06.

Repurchase Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(a).

Repurchase Price” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06.

Required Information” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any managing director, director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary, associate or any other officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also shall mean, with respect to a particular corporate trust

 

13


matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Restricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company that is a “Restricted Subsidiary” under any Designated Notes.

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

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company secured by a Lien. “Secured Indebtedness” of a Note Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(d).

Senior Indebtedness” of the Company means the principal of, premium (if any) and accrued and unpaid interest on (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization of the Company, or any Note Guarantor, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings) and fees and other amounts owing in respect of, Bank Indebtedness and all other Indebtedness of the Company whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Notes or such Note Guarantor’s Note Guarantee; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include (a) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company, (b) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including Guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), (d) any Indebtedness or obligation of the Company (and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof) that by its terms is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or obligation of the Company, including any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and any Subordinated Obligations or (e) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock.

Senior Indebtedness” of a Note Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness” means the Notes, the 2024 Notes, the 2025 Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu with the Notes in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Note Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

 

14


Settlement Method Election Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

Stock Price” means, in connection with a Fundamental Change, (i) if holders of Common Stock receive only cash in such Fundamental Change, the cash amount paid per share of Common Stock and (ii) in all other cases, the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day preceding the Effective Date of such Fundamental Change.

Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement. “Subordinated Obligation” of a Note Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (a) such Person, (b) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (c) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Company, the term “Subsidiary” also shall include the following Persons: Tesla Sezam, a.s., Terosil, a.s. and Leshan-Phoenix Semiconductor Co. Ltd., so long as the Company directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock or economic interests of such Person.

Successor Company” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01(a).

Termination of Trading” will be deemed to have occurred if the Common Stock (or other common stock into which the Notes are then convertible) is not listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the American Stock Exchange.

Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

Trading Day” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(h)(iii).

 

15


Trading Price” means, on any date, the average of the secondary market bid quotations per $1,000 principal amount of Notes obtained by the Trustee for $2,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such date from three Independent Nationally Recognized Securities Dealers selected by the Company; provided that if at least three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Trustee, but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Trustee, that one bid shall be used; provided further that if the Trustee cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $2,000,000 principal amount of Notes from an Independent Nationally Recognized Securities Dealer, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on such date will be deemed to be less than 103% of the product of (a) the Conversion Rate and (b) the Closing Sale Price on such date.

Trigger Event” has the meaning specified in Section 15.05(d).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Sections 11.03 and 15.06; provided that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

2024 Notes” means the Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 issued by the Company on April 6, 2004 and the Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024, Series B issued by the Company on July 21, 2006 and August 9, 2006 in the aggregate principal amount of $260,000,000 and the Indebtedness represented thereby (including any replacement notes).

2025 Notes” means the 1.875% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2025 issued by the Company on December 21, 2005 in the aggregate principal amount of $95,000,000 and the Indebtedness represented thereby (including any replacement notes).

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled at the time to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

16


Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

ARTICLE 2

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Designation Amount and Issue of Notes. The Notes shall be designated as “2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026”. The Trustee shall initially authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount of up to $440,000,000 (or initially up to $484,000,000 to the extent that the Initial Purchasers’ over-allotment option pursuant to the Purchase Agreement is exercised in full) upon the execution of this Indenture. Thereafter, in addition to any Notes issued pursuant to Sections 2.05, 2.06, 3.03, 3.05, 3.06, 3.10 and 15.02, the Company may, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, execute additional Notes under this Indenture with the same terms, CUSIP number and other provisions as the Notes initially issued under the Indenture in an unlimited principal amount (“Additional Notes”), provided that no Additional Notes shall be issued unless fungible with the Notes initially issued under the Indenture for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by one of its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, without any further action by the Company hereunder.

SECTION 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A. The terms and provisions contained in the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends, endorsements or changes as the officers executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required by the Custodian, the Depositary or by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. in order for the Notes to be tradable on The Portal Market or as may be required for the Notes to be tradable on any other market developed for trading of securities pursuant to Rule 144A or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed, or to conform to usage, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

17


So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, or unless otherwise required by law, or otherwise contemplated by Section 2.05(a), all of the Notes will be represented by one or more Notes in global form registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary (a “Global Note”). The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in any such Global Note shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with this Indenture and the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Except as provided in Section 2.05(a), beneficial owners of a Global Note shall not be entitled to have certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and will not be considered holders of such Global Note.

Any Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect redemptions, repurchases, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal of any Global Note shall be made to the holder of such Note.

SECTION 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Additional Interest. (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of the form of such Note attached as Exhibit A hereto. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(b) The Person in whose name any Note is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. Interest (including Additional Interest, if any) shall be payable at the office of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company shall pay interest (including Additional Interest, if any) (i) on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note register (or upon written application by such Person to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to such Person’s account within the United States, if such Person is entitled to interest on an aggregate principal in excess of $1,000,000) or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The term “Regular Record Date” with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall mean the June 1 or December 1 preceding the applicable June 15 or December 15 Interest Payment Date, respectively.

 

18


(c) Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Noteholder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Noteholder, and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes 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 Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than twenty-five (25) days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than fifteen (15) days and not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than ten (10) days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each holder at his address as it appears in the Note Register, not less than ten (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 so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c).

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

(d) Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of interest in respect of any Note, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of “Additional Interest” provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or

 

19


would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement and express mention of the payment of Additional Interest (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made. The Trustee may conclusively rely on the Company’s calculation of the Additional Interest amounts due and owing on any date on which interest payments on the Notes are due.

SECTION 2.04. Execution of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of one of its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”) and attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or any of its Assistant Secretaries or its Treasurer or any of its Assistant Treasurers (which may be printed, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon, by facsimile or otherwise). Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, manually executed by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 19.11), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such officer of the Company, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

SECTION 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 5.02 being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note Register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonably prompt period of time. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars in accordance with Section 5.02.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this

 

20


Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.

Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 5.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes which the Noteholder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, redemption, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and the Notes shall be duly executed by the Noteholder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made to any holder for any registration of, transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes.

Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Notes for a period of fifteen (15) days next preceding any selection of Notes to be redeemed, (b) any Notes or portions thereof called for redemption pursuant to Section 3.02, (c) any Notes or portions thereof surrendered for conversion pursuant to Article 15, (d) any Notes or portions thereof tendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) pursuant to Section 3.05 or (e) any Notes or portions thereof tendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) pursuant to Section 3.06.

(b) The following provisions shall apply only to Global Notes:

(i) Each Global Note authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or Custodian therefor, and each such Global Note shall constitute a single Note for all purposes of this Indenture.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Notes registered, and no transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof unless (A) the Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for

 

21


such Global Note and a successor depositary has not been appointed by the Company within ninety days or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary has not been appointed by the Company within ninety days, (B) an Event of Default has occurred and the maturity of the Notes shall have been accelerated in accordance with Section 7.01 and any Noteholder shall have given written notice to the Company requesting the issuance of definitive Notes or (C) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it no longer wishes to have all the Notes represented by Global Notes. Any Global Note exchanged pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above shall be so exchanged in whole and not in part and any Global Note exchanged pursuant to clause (C) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as directed by the Company. Any Note issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion thereof shall be a Global Note; provided that any such Note so issued that is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof shall not be a Global Note.

(iii) Securities issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion thereof pursuant to clause (ii) above shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without coupons, shall have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of such Global Note or portion thereof to be so exchanged, shall be registered in such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depositary shall designate and shall bear any legends required hereunder. Any Global Note to be exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Note Registrar. With regard to any Global Note to be exchanged in part, either such Global Note shall be so surrendered for exchange or, if the Trustee is acting as Custodian for the Depositary or its nominee with respect to such Global Note, the principal amount thereof shall be reduced, by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee. Upon any such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery the Note issuable on such exchange to or upon the written order of the Depositary or an authorized representative thereof.

(iv) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in clause (ii) above, the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Notes in definitive, fully registered form, without coupons.

(v) Neither any members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) nor any other Persons on whose behalf Agent Members may act shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note registered in the name of the Depositary or any nominee thereof, and the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and holder of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, or impair, as between the Depositary, its Agent Members and any other Person on

 

22


whose behalf an Agent Member may act, the operation of customary practices of such Persons governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

(vi) At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been redeemed, repurchased, converted, canceled or exchanged for Notes in certificated form, such Global Note shall, upon receipt thereof, be canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is redeemed, repurchased, converted, canceled or exchanged for Notes in certificated form, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.

(c) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (together with any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes and required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including those set forth in the legend below) unless such restrictions on transfer shall be waived by written consent of the Company, and the holder of each such Restricted Security, by such holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, loan, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security or any interest therein.

Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d)) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form, unless such Note has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the time of such transfer) or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any similar provision then in force, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with written notice thereof to the Trustee:

THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK (“COMMON STOCK”) OF ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY, THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

 

23


THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE WITHIN MENTIONED TRUSTEE PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES WHERE REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IS REQUIRED, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE UPON REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATES AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.

Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms or as to conditions for removal of the foregoing legend set forth therein have been satisfied may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(c). If the Restricted Security surrendered for exchange is represented by a Global Note bearing the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c), the principal amount of the legended Global Note shall be reduced by the appropriate principal amount and the principal amount of a Global Note without the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) shall be increased by an equal principal amount. If a Global Note without the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) is not then outstanding, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver an unlegended Global Note to the Depositary.

(d) Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of any Note shall bear

 

24


a legend in substantially the following form, unless such Common Stock has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the time of such transfer) or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any similar provision then in force, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of Notes that have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any similar provision then in force, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing with written notice thereof to the transfer agent:

THE COMMON STOCK (“COMMON STOCK”) OF ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS COMMON STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMON STOCK, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH COMMON STOCK PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY UNDER RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE WITHIN MENTIONED TRUSTEE PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES WHERE REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IS REQUIRED, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE UPON REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF

 

25


COUNSEL, CERTIFICATES AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.

(e) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion of a Note that, prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), is purchased or owned by the Company or any Affiliate thereof may not be resold by the Company or such Affiliate unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction which results in such Notes or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being Restricted Securities (as defined under Rule 144).

(f) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any Agent Members or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the books or records, or the acts or omissions, of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Noteholder and all payments to be made to Noteholders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Noteholders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the customary procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its Agent Members.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Agent Members in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

SECTION 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen, if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Noteholder (a) satisfies the Company within a reasonable time after he has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Note Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company or the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in

 

26


Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Company may require the payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption or has been tendered for repurchase upon a Designated Event (and not withdrawn) or has been surrendered for repurchase on a Repurchase Date (and not withdrawn) or is to be converted into Common Stock shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any paying agent or conversion agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or conversion or redemption or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or conversion or redemption or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in

 

27


any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 5.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.08. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, repurchase, conversion, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or any Note Registrar or any conversion agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption, repurchase or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or repurchases as a convenience to Noteholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption or a repurchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or repurchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF NOTES

SECTION 3.01. Redemption of Notes. The Company may not redeem any Notes prior to December 20, 2013. At any time on or after December 20, 2013 and prior to maturity, the Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.02, at a cash redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (the “Redemption Price”); provided, however,

 

28


that if the redemption date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for redemption and the Redemption Price payable will be 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and will not include any interest.

SECTION 3.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer than forty-five (45) days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date fixed for redemption, the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date to each holder of Notes so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided that if the Company shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the redemption date to the Trustee. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, the CUSIP number or numbers of the Notes being redeemed, the date fixed for redemption (which shall be a Business Day), the Redemption Price at which Notes are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes. Such notice shall also state the current Conversion Rate, the date on which the right to convert such Notes or portions thereof will expire and whether the Company has elected to pay the Net Share Amount in cash pursuant to Section 15.02(c). If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 3.02, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.04) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption (other than those theretofore surrendered for conversion) at the appropriate Redemption Price; provided that if such payment is made on the redemption date it must be received by the Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on such date. The Company shall be entitled

 

29


to retain any interest, yield or earnings on amounts deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent pursuant to this Section 3.02 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price of all Notes to be redeemed on such date. If any Note called for redemption is converted pursuant hereto prior to such redemption date, any money deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Note shall be paid to the Company upon its written request, or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust. Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate not fewer than forty-five (45) days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the redemption date as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.

If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Note or the Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. If any Note selected for partial redemption is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of such Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion to be selected for redemption. The Notes (or portions thereof) so selected shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof, notwithstanding that any such Note is submitted for conversion in part before the mailing of the notice of redemption.

Upon any redemption of less than all of the outstanding Notes, the Company and the Trustee may (but need not), solely for purposes of determining the pro rata allocation among such Notes as are unconverted and outstanding at the time of redemption, treat as outstanding any Notes surrendered for conversion during the period of fifteen (15) days next preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption and may (but need not) treat as outstanding any Note authenticated and delivered during such period in exchange for the unconverted portion of any Note converted in part during such period.

SECTION 3.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Company. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall, unless converted pursuant to the terms hereof, become due and payable on the date fixed for redemption and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, after the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the redemption date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price) interest shall cease to accrue on such Notes and such Notes shall cease to be convertible and, except as provided in Section 8.05 and Section 13.04, to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.

 

30


Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.

If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, such Note shall remain convertible until the principal shall have been paid or duly provided for.

SECTION 3.04. Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption. In connection with any redemption of Notes, the Company may arrange for the purchase and conversion of any Notes by an agreement with one or more investment banks or other purchasers to purchase such Notes by paying to the Trustee in trust for the Noteholders, on or before the date fixed for redemption, an amount not less than the applicable Redemption Price of such Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 3, the obligation of the Company to pay the Redemption Price of such Notes shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. If such an agreement is entered into, a copy of which will be filed with the Trustee prior to the date fixed for redemption, any Notes not duly surrendered for conversion by the holders thereof may, at the option of the Company, be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such holders and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article 15) surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption (and the right to convert any such Notes shall be extended through such time), subject to payment of the above amount as aforesaid. At the direction of the Company, the Trustee shall hold and dispose of any such amount paid to it in the same manner as it would monies deposited with it by the Company for the redemption of Notes. Without the Trustee’s prior written consent, no arrangement between the Company and such purchasers for the purchase and conversion of any Notes shall increase or otherwise affect any of the powers, duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Trustee as set forth in this Indenture.

SECTION 3.05. Repurchase at Option of Noteholders Upon a Designated Event. (a) If there shall occur a Designated Event at any time prior to maturity of the Notes, then each Noteholder shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is a multiple of $1,000 principal amount, on the date (the “Designated Event Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is thirty (30) days after the date of the Designated Event Notice (as defined in Section 3.05(b)) of such Designated Event at a cash repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Designated Event Repurchase Date (the “Designated Event Repurchase Price”); provided, however, that if the Designated Event Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for repurchase and the Designated Event Repurchase Price payable will be 100% of the

 

31


principal amount of such Note and will not include any interest. Repurchases of Notes under this Section 3.05 shall be made, at the option of the holder thereof, upon:

(i) delivery to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) by a holder of a duly completed notice (the “Designated Event Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note on or before the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Designated Event Repurchase Date; and

(ii) delivery or book-entry transfer of the Notes to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) at any time after delivery of the Designated Event Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in the Borough of Manhattan as provided in Section 5.02, such delivery being a condition to receipt by the holder of the Designated Event Repurchase Price therefor; provided that such Designated Event Repurchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 3.05 only if the Note so delivered to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) shall conform in all respects to the description thereof in the related Designated Event Repurchase Notice.

The Company shall purchase from the holder thereof, pursuant to this Section 3.05, a portion of a Note, if the principal amount of such portion is $1,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to the purchase of all of a Note also apply to the purchase of such portion of such Note.

Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05 shall be consummated by the delivery of the consideration to be received by the holder promptly following the later of the Designated Event Repurchase Date and the time of the book-entry transfer or delivery of the Note.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any holder delivering to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) the Designated Event Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 3.05 shall have the right to withdraw such Designated Event Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Designated Event Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in accordance with Section 3.05(c) below.

The Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Designated Event Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

(b) On or before the 30th day after the occurrence of a Designated Event, the Company or at its written request (which must be received by the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date the Trustee is requested to give notice as described below, unless the Trustee shall agree in writing to a shorter period), the Trustee, in the

 

32


name of and at the expense of the Company, shall mail or cause to be mailed to all holders of record on the date of the Designated Event a notice (the “Designated Event Notice”) prepared by the Company of the occurrence of such Designated Event and of the repurchase right at the option of the holders arising as a result thereof. Such notice shall be mailed in the manner and with the effect set forth in the first paragraph of Section 3.02 (without regard for the time limits set forth therein). If the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall also deliver a copy of the Designated Event Notice to the Trustee at such time as it is mailed to Noteholders.

Each Designated Event Notice shall specify the circumstances constituting the Designated Event, the Designated Event Repurchase Date, the price at which the Company shall be obligated to repurchase Notes, that the holder must exercise the repurchase right on or prior to the close of business on the Designated Event Repurchase Date (the “Designated Event Expiration Time”), that the holder shall have the right to withdraw any Notes surrendered prior to the Designated Event Expiration Time, a description of the procedure which a Noteholder must follow to exercise such repurchase right and to withdraw any surrendered Notes, the place or places where the holder is to surrender such holder’s Notes, whether, in respect of any Notes converted prior to the Designated Event Repurchase Date, the Company has elected to pay the Net Share Amount in cash pursuant to Section 15.02(c) and the CUSIP number or numbers of the Notes (if then generally in use) and include a form of Designated Event Repurchase Notice.

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Noteholders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.05.

(c) A Designated Event Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in accordance with the Designated Event Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Designated Event Repurchase Date, specifying:

(i) the certificate number, if any, of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, or the appropriate Depositary information if the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted is represented by a Global Note,

(ii) the principal amount of the Note with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note which remains subject to the original Designated Event Repurchase Notice and which has been or will be delivered for purchase by the Company.

(d) On or prior to the Designated Event Repurchase Date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company or if the

 

33


Company is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.04) an amount of money sufficient to repurchase on the Designated Event Repurchase Date all the Notes to be repurchased on such date at the appropriate Designated Event Repurchase Price; provided that if such payment is made on the Designated Event Repurchase Date it must be received by the Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) prior to the Designated Event Expiration Time will be made promptly (but in no event more than five (5) Business Days) following the later of (x) the Designated Event Repurchase Date with respect to such Note (provided the holder has satisfied the conditions in this Section 3.05) and (y) the time of delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) by the holder thereof in the manner required by this Section 3.05) by mailing checks for the amount payable to the holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register.

If the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to repurchase on the Designated Event Repurchase Date all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be purchased as of the Designated Event Repurchase Date, then on or after the Designated Event Repurchase Date (i) the Notes will cease to be outstanding, and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes, and (ii) all other rights of the holders of such Notes will terminate, whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or paying agent, other than the right to receive the Designated Event Repurchase Price upon delivery of the Notes.

(e) In the case of a reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance to which Section 15.06 applies, in which the Common Stock of the Company is changed or exchanged as a result into the right to receive stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash), which includes shares of Common Stock of the Company or shares of common stock of another Person that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a United States national securities exchange or approved for trading on an established automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States and such shares constitute at the time such change or exchange becomes effective in excess of 50% of the aggregate Fair Market Value of such stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash), then the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel that such supplemental indenture complies with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) modifying the provisions of this Indenture relating to the right of holders of the Notes to cause the Company to repurchase the Notes following a Designated Event, including without limitation the applicable provisions of this Section 3.05 and the definitions of Common Stock and Designated Event, as appropriate, as determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive and binding), to make such provisions apply to such other Person if

 

34


different from the Company and the common stock issued by such Person (in lieu of the Company and the Common Stock of the Company).

(f) To the extent required by applicable law, the Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act in connection with the repurchase rights of the holders of Notes in the event of a Designated Event.

SECTION 3.06. Repurchase of Notes by the Company at Option of the Noteholder. Unless the Company has elected to redeem all of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.01, Notes shall be purchased by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Notes at the option of the holder on December 15 of 2013, 2016 and 2021 (each, a “Repurchase Date”), for cash, at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest including additional interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date (the “Repurchase Price”); provided, however, that if the Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for repurchase and the Repurchase Price payable will be 100% of the principal amount of such Note and will not include any interest; provided further, however, that no Notes may be repurchased by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or prior to the Repurchase Date. Repurchases of Notes under this Section 3.06 shall be made, at the option of the holder thereof, upon:

(a) delivery to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) by a holder of a duly completed notice (the “Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note during the period beginning at any time from the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to the Repurchase Date until the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date; and

(b) delivery or book-entry transfer of the Notes to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) at any time after delivery of the Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in the Borough of Manhattan as provided in Section 5.02, such delivery being a condition to receipt by the holder of the Repurchase Price therefor; provided that such Repurchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 3.06 only if the Note so delivered to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) shall conform in all respects to the description thereof in the related Repurchase Notice.

The Company shall purchase from the holder thereof, pursuant to this Section 3.06, a portion of a Note, if the principal amount of such portion is $1,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to the purchase of all of a Note also apply to the purchase of such portion of such Note.

 

35


Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.06 shall be consummated by the delivery of the consideration to be received by the holder promptly following the later of the Repurchase Date and the time of the book-entry transfer or delivery of the Note.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any holder delivering to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) a Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 3.06 shall have the right to withdraw such Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in accordance with Section 3.08.

The Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

SECTION 3.07. Company Repurchase Notice.

(a) The Notes to be repurchased on any Repurchase Date pursuant to Section 3.06 will be paid for in cash.

Unless the Company has elected to redeem all of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.01, at least three Business Days before the Company Repurchase Notice Date, the Company shall deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee specifying:

(i) the information required by Section 3.07(b) in the Company Repurchase Notice, and

(ii) whether the Company desires the Trustee to give the Company Repurchase Notice required by Section 3.07(b).

(b) Unless the Company has elected to redeem all of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.01, in connection with any repurchase of Notes, the Company shall, no less than 20 Business Days prior to the Repurchase Date (the “Company Repurchase Notice Date”), give notice to holders at their addresses shown in the Note Register setting forth information specified in this Section 3.07(b) (the “Company Repurchase Notice”). The Company will also give notice to beneficial owners as required by applicable law.

The Company Repurchase Notice shall:

(1) state the Repurchase Price and the Repurchase Date to which the Company Repurchase Notice relates;

(2) include a form of Repurchase Notice;

(3) state the name and address of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company);

 

36


(4) state that Notes must be surrendered to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) to collect the Repurchase Price;

(5) state that Notes as to which a Repurchase Notice has been given may be converted only if the Repurchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(6) state the CUSIP number of the Notes.

The Company Repurchase Notice may be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give such Company Repurchase Notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense.

(c) To the extent required by applicable law, the Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act in connection with the repurchase rights of the holders of Notes.

SECTION 3.08. Effect of Repurchase Notice. Upon receipt by the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) of the Repurchase Notice specified in Section 3.06, the holder of the Note in respect of which such Repurchase Notice was given shall (unless such Repurchase Notice is validly withdrawn) thereafter be entitled to receive solely the Repurchase Price with respect to such Note. Such Repurchase Price shall be paid to such holder, subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), promptly following the later of (x) the Repurchase Date with respect to such Note (provided the holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 3.06) and (y) the time of delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) by the holder thereof in the manner required by Section 3.06. Notes in respect of which a Repurchase Notice has been given by the holder thereof may not be converted pursuant to Article 15 hereof on or after the date of the delivery of such Repurchase Notice unless such Repurchase Notice has first been validly withdrawn.

A Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in accordance with the Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Repurchase Date, specifying:

(a) the certificate number, if any, of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, or the appropriate Depositary information if the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted is represented by a Global Note,

(b) the principal amount of the Note with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

(c) the principal amount, if any, of such Note which remains subject to the original Repurchase Notice and which has been or will be delivered for repurchase by the Company.

 

37


SECTION 3.09. Deposit of Repurchase Price. (a) Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on the Repurchase Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company; or, if the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them is acting as the paying agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.04) an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on such Business Day), sufficient to pay the aggregate Repurchase Price of all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be purchased as of the Repurchase Date.

(b) If the Trustee or other paying agent appointed by the Company, or the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of either of them, if such entity is acting as the paying agent, holds cash sufficient to pay the aggregate Repurchase Price of all the Notes, or portions thereof that are to be repurchased as of the Repurchase Date, on or after the Repurchase Date (i) the Notes will cease to be outstanding and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue, and (ii) all other rights of the holders of such Notes will terminate, whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or paying agent, other than the right to receive the Repurchase Price upon delivery of the Notes.

SECTION 3.10. Notes Repurchased in Part. Upon presentation of any Note repurchased pursuant to Section 3.05 or 3.06, as the case may be, only in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unrepurchased portion of the Notes presented.

SECTION 3.11. Repayment to the Company. The Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) shall return to the Company any cash or money that remains unclaimed as provided in Section 13.04 held by them for the payment of the Designated Event Repurchase Price pursuant to Section 3.05 or the Repurchase Price pursuant to Section 3.06, as the case may be; provided that to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash or money deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 3.05(d) or Section 3.09, as the case may be, exceeds the aggregate Designated Event Repurchase Price or the Repurchase Price, as the case may be, of the Notes or portions thereof which the Company is obligated to purchase as of the Designated Event Repurchase Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, then, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Company, promptly after the Business Day following the Designated Event Repurchase Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, the Trustee shall return any such excess to the Company together with interest, if any, thereon.

ARTICLE 4

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE 5

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 5.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal of,

 

38


premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on each of the Notes and if applicable, payment of the Conversion Obligation and Additional Shares, at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, pay interest on overdue payments of principal (whether at maturity or in connection with any redemption, repurchase or otherwise) or interest (including Additional Interest) at a rate of 1.00% per annum above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes from the required payment date of such overdue payment.

SECTION 5.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or for conversion, redemption or repurchase and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as paying agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and conversion agent and each of the Corporate Trust Office and the office of agency of the Trustee, shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Note Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail, or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 8.10 and the third paragraph of Section 8.11. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Company and the holders of Notes it can identify from its records.

SECTION 5.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 8.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 5.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a paying agent, the Company will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 5.04:

 

39


(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, deposit with the paying agent a sum in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest, if any, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the paying agent by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 5.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any paying agent hereunder as required by this Section 5.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Anything in this Section 5.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 5.04 is subject to Sections 13.03 and 13.04.

(e) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.

 

40


SECTION 5.05. Rule 144A Information Requirement. Within the period prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), the Company covenants and agrees that it shall, during any period in which it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) under the Exchange Act, make available to any holder or beneficial holder of Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof which continue to be Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of Notes or such Common Stock designated by such holder or beneficial holder, the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act upon the request of any holder or beneficial holder of the Notes or such Common Stock and it will take such further action as any holder or beneficial holder of such Notes or such Common Stock may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder or beneficial holder to sell its Notes or Common Stock without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemption provided by Rule 144A, as such Rule may be amended from time to time. Upon the request of any holder or any beneficial holder of the Notes or such Common Stock, the Company will deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

SECTION 5.06. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 5.07. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company 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 5.08. Future Note Guarantors. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, if any Subsidiary of the Company enters into or has an outstanding Guarantee of any Indebtedness evidenced by any outstanding Designated Notes, then the Company shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Note Guarantor, and, if applicable, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary will Guarantee payment of the Notes. Each Note Guarantee shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be Guaranteed by that Subsidiary without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

SECTION 5.09. Senior Subordinated Indebtedness; Limitations on Liens. The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior

 

41


Subordinated Indebtedness. In addition, the Company shall not Incur any Secured Indebtedness that is not Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the Notes equally and ratably with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) such Secured Indebtedness for so long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien. A Note Guarantor shall not Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is by its terms expressly subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor. In addition, a Note Guarantor shall not Incur any Secured Indebtedness that is not Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the Note Guarantee of such Note Guarantor equally and ratably with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to such Note Guarantee) such Secured Indebtedness for as long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.

SECTION 5.10. Additional Interest. If Additional Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to the persons entitled to them, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

ARTICLE 6

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS

BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.01. Noteholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than fifteen (15) days after each June 1 and December 1 in each year beginning with June 1, 2007, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of Notes, except that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as the sole Note Registrar.

SECTION 6.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar or co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the

 

42


corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Noteholder, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of holders of Notes made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 6.03. Reports by Trustee. (a) Within sixty (60) days after May 15 of each year commencing with the year 2007, the Trustee shall transmit to holders of Notes such reports dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. In the event that no events have occurred under the applicable sections of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system upon which the Notes are listed (if applicable) and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted therefrom.

SECTION 6.04. Reports by Company. If at any time the Company is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company shall provide the Trustee and Noteholders within 15 days after it files them with the Commission (or would be required to file with the Commission), copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports that are specified in Section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively, the “Required Information”); provided, however, that if any of the Required Information is filed with the Commission, the Company shall only be required to provide the Trustee copies of such Required Information. In addition, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of the annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by the Company to its public shareholders generally. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE 7

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS

ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the following Events of Default (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) shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

43


(a) default in any payment of interest, including any Additional Interest, on any Note when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 16; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of any of the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity or in connection with any redemption, repurchase or otherwise, in each case pursuant to Article 3 whether or not such payment, redemption or purchase shall be prohibited by Article 16; or

(c) default in the Company’s obligation to provide a Designated Event Notice upon a Designated Event as provided in Section 3.05 within the time period specified in Section 3.05(b); or

(d) the failure by the Company or any Note Guarantor to comply with Section 5.08 or 5.09 and such failure continues for 30 days after the notice specified below; or

(e) the failure of the Company or any Note Guarantor to comply with Article 12; or

(f) failure on the part of the Company or any Note Guarantor to comply with any of its agreements in the Notes or this Indenture (other than those referred to in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below; or

(g) the failure by the Company to deliver the consideration payable under Article 15 upon conversion of the Notes within the time period specified in Section 15.02 and 15.10, and such failure continues for a period of 5 days after the notice specified below; or

(h) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $25 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and such failure continues for 10 days after the notice specified below; or

(i) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case;

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

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

 

44


(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or takes any comparable action under any foreign law relating to insolvency; or

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

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

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

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

(k) with respect to any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $25 million or its foreign currency equivalent against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) an enforcement proceeding is commenced thereon by any creditor if such judgment or decree is final and nonappealable and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, fails to stay such proceeding within 10 days thereafter or (ii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, fails to pay such judgment or decree, which judgment or decree has remained outstanding for a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment or decree without being paid, discharged, waived or stayed; or

(l) any Note Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Note Guarantor or Person acting by or on behalf of such Significant Subsidiary denies or disaffirms such Significant Subsidiary’s obligations under this Indenture or any Note Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified in this Indenture;

then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(i) or 7.01(j)), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding hereunder determined in accordance with Section 9.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Noteholders), may declare 100% of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(i) or 7.01(j) or occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action. This provision, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the

 

45


payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay installments of accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, upon all Notes and the principal (with interest on all such amounts that are overdue at the rate of 1.00% per annum above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes) and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.06, and if any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of principal and accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, of which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 7.07, then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. A Default under (d), (f), (g), (h) or (l) above is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Noteholders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee of the Default and the Company or the relevant Note Guarantor, as applicable, do not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default”. The Company shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clauses (d), (e), (f), (h), (k) or (l), its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, to the extent elected by the Company, the sole remedy of holders of the Notes for an Event of Default relating to the failure to file any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and for any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act or of Section 6.04 of this Indenture, will for the first 220 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive an extension fee on the Notes in an amount equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the Notes. If the Company so elects, the extension fee will be payable on all outstanding Notes on the date on which an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the reporting obligations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence first occurs, which will be the 60th day after a Notice of Default is provided to the Company by the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes of its failure to so comply. On the 220th day after such Event of Default (if such Event of Default is not cured or waived prior to such 220th day), the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above. The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the rights of holders of Notes in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default. In the event the Company does not elect to pay the extension fee upon an Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, the Notes will be due and payable on the 60th day after the relevant Notice of Default.

 

46


In order to elect to pay the extension fee as the sole remedy during the first 220 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify all holders of Notes and the Trustee and paying agent of such election and the aggregate amount of such extension fee on or before the close of business on the date on which such Event of Default occurs, which will be the 60th day after notice to the Company of its failure to so comply.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.05(n), the failure by the Company to adjust the Conversion Rate pursuant to the terms of Section 15.05 shall constitute an Event of Default pursuant to the terms of this Section 7.01.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

SECTION 7.02. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company and each Note Guarantor covenants that in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of, or accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, on, any of the Notes as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Notes or in connection with any redemption or repurchase, by or under this Indenture declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company or such Note Guarantor, is applicable, will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal, accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Additional Interest, if any, with interest upon the overdue amounts at the rate of 1.00% per annum above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes from the required payment date and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.06. Until such demand by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes to the registered holders, whether or not the Notes are overdue.

In case the Company or any Note Guarantor shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company, any Note Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company, any Note Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.

 

47


In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company, any Note Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company, such Note Guarantor or such other obligor, the property of the Company, such Note Guarantor or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company, such Note Guarantor or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company, such Note Guarantor or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Noteholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.06, and to take any other action with respect to such claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Noteholders 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 Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the

 

48


Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.

SECTION 7.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.06;

SECOND: To holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to the extent required by Article 16 and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Note Guarantors to the extent required by Article 18;

THIRD: In case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, payments in respect of the Conversion Obligation and Additional Shares) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue payments of principal or interest, including Additional Interest and any interest payable pursuant to Section 5.01 at the rate of 1.00% per annum above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

SECTION 7.04. Proceedings by Noteholder. No holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request

 

49


shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Note with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Notes shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of Notes, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Notes (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 7.04 each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, the right of any holder of any Note to receive payment of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional interest, if any, on, such Note (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3), on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Company shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

Anything in this Indenture or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of any Note, without the consent of either the Trustee or the holder of any other Note, on its own behalf and for its own benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any proceeding suitable to enforce, its rights of conversion as provided herein.

SECTION 7.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

SECTION 7.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 7 to the Trustee or to the Noteholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, every power and remedy given by this Article 7 or by law to the Trustee or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders.

 

50


SECTION 7.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Noteholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.04 shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Noteholder to the detriment of other Noteholders and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.04 may, on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes when due which has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.01, (ii) a default in the payment of the Redemption Price pursuant to Article 3, (iii) a default in the payment of the Designated Event Repurchase Price or Repurchase Price pursuant to Article 3 or (iv) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 11 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each or all Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Upon any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 7.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within the earlier of thirty (30) days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence of a default or ninety (90) days after it occurs, mail to all Noteholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Note Register, notice of all defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal interest or Additional Interest, if any, on, any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Noteholders.

SECTION 7.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Note 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 or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such

 

51


party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 7.09 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Noteholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.04, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note in accordance with the provisions of Article 15.

ARTICLE 8

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 8.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), 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 own affairs.

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:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants, duties or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which 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) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

52


(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 9.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any paying agent or any records maintained by any co-registrar with respect to the Notes;

(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred; and

(g) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default hereunder unless it shall have been notified in writing of such Event of Default by the Company or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 8.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01:

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

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

 

53


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

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Noteholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(f) 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 by it with due care hereunder;

(g) 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;

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

(i) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty;

(k) the Trustee shall not be responsible for the computation or determination of any interest payments, redemption amounts, or Conversion Rates; and

 

54


(l) in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond the Trustee’s control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot, embargo, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations, governmental action or the like which delay, restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture.

SECTION 8.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

SECTION 8.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion agent or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent, conversion agent or Note Registrar.

SECTION 8.05. Monies to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 13.04, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.

SECTION 8.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct. The Company and each of the Note Guarantors, jointly and severally, covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or such officers,

 

55


directors, employees and agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Note Guarantor, any holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company and the Note Guarantors under this Section 8.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Notes. The obligation of the Company and the Note Guarantors under this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(i) or (j) with respect to the Company occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

SECTION 8.07. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 8.08. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall (i) eliminate such interest within 90 days, (ii) apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or (iii) resign, in each case to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION 8.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 8.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and to the holders of Notes. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall

 

56


promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Noteholders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Noteholders, petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, subject to the provisions of Section 7.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 8.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Noteholder; 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, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 7.09, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) days after either the Company or the Noteholders has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee which shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless, within ten (10) days after notice to the Company of such nomination, the Company objects

 

57


thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Noteholder, or if such Trustee so removed or any Noteholder fails to act, the Company, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 8.10 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 8.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 8.11.

(e) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 8.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 8.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 8.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.06.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 8.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.08 and be eligible under the provisions of Section 8.09.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 8.11, the Company (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 8.12. Succession by Merger. 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

 

58


business of the Trustee (including any trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that in the case of any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 8.09.

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

SECTION 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 8.14. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three (3) Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

ARTICLE 9

THE NOTEHOLDERS

SECTION 9.01. Action by Noteholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of

 

59


taking any such action, the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Noteholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the holders of Notes voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Noteholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 10, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Noteholders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining holders entitled to take such action. The record date shall be not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.

SECTION 9.02. Proof of Execution by Noteholders. Subject to the provisions of Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 10.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Noteholder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the registry of such Notes or by a certificate of the Note Registrar.

The record of any Noteholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 10.06.

SECTION 9.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any conversion agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable upon any such Note.

SECTION 9.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action, only Notes which a Responsible Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 9.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Notes and that the pledgee is

 

60


not the Company, any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described Persons, and, subject to Section 8.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

SECTION 9.05. Revocation of Consents, Future Noteholders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 9.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Note which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 9.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE 10

MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS

SECTION 10.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Noteholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Noteholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 7;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 8;

(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.02; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

SECTION 10.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Noteholders to take any action specified in Section 10.01, to be held at such

 

61


time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Noteholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 9.01, shall be mailed to holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. Such notice shall also be mailed to the Company. Such notices shall be mailed not less than twenty (20) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Any meeting of Noteholders shall be valid without notice if the holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the holders of all Notes outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.

SECTION 10.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Noteholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within twenty (20) days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Noteholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 10.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 10.02.

SECTION 10.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders a person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Noteholders shall be the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 10.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Noteholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Noteholders as provided in Section 10.03, in which case the Company or the Noteholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be

 

62


elected by vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 9.04, at any meeting each Noteholder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Noteholders. Any meeting of Noteholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02 or 10.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 10.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Noteholders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Noteholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 10.02. The record shall show the principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

SECTION 10.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 10 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Noteholders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Noteholders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.

 

63


ARTICLE 11

AMENDMENTS; SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 11.01. Amendment or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Noteholders. The Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time amend this Indenture or enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) make provision with respect to the conversion rights of the holders of Notes pursuant to the requirements of Section 15.06 and the repurchase obligations of the Company pursuant to the requirements of Section 3.05(e);

(b) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Notes, any property or assets or to otherwise secure the Notes;

(c) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article 12;

(d) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions as the Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the benefit of the holders of Notes, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

(e) to add additional Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes;

(f) to make any change in Article 16 or Article 18 that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Note Guarantor (or any Representatives therefor) under Article 16 or Article 18;

(g) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Notes and to provide for exchangeability of such Notes with the Notes issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

(h) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any amendment or supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any amendment or supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or

 

64


questions arising under this Indenture that shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Notes;

(i) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes; or

(j) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualifications of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted.

An amendment under this Section 11.01 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article 16 or Article 18 of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Note Guarantor unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder; provided that the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any amendment or supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 11.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 11.02.

SECTION 11.02. Amendment or Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Noteholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 9) of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an amendment to this Indenture or 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 any amendment or supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided that no such amendment or supplemental indenture shall not without the consent of each Noteholder so affected:

(a) extend the fixed maturity of any Note;

(b) reduce the principal amount or premium thereof or change the date on which any Note may be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.01 thereof;

(c) reduce the rate, or extend the stated time for payment, of interest, including Additional Interest, on any Note;

 

65


(d) reduce any amount payable on redemption or repurchase thereof;

(e) change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note at the option of a Noteholder on a Repurchase Date in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes, or change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note upon the happening of a Designated Event in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes;

(f) impair the right of any Noteholder to receive payment of principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the payment thereof;

(g) make the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, thereof payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Notes;

(h) impair the right to convert the Notes or reduce the amount of consideration receivable by a Noteholder upon conversion subject to the terms set forth herein, including Section 15.06;

(i) modify any of the provisions of this Section 11.02 or Section 7.07, 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 Note so affected;

(j) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes set forth in Section 5.02;

(k) reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in Article 10 or modify or change Article 16, 17 or 18 in any manner adverse to the Noteholders’ rights thereunder; or

(l) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding.

Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section 11.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

 

66


SECTION 11.03. Effect of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture. Any amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 11 shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 11.03 shall not require such amendment or supplemental indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to such amendment or supplemental indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 11, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Note Guarantors and the holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment or supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 11.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 11 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such amendment or supplemental indenture may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 19.11) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

SECTION 11.05. Evidence of Compliance of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Prior to entering into any amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 11 and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

SECTION 11.06. Execution of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors. Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Note Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.08 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee an amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Note Guarantor under this Section 11.06 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such amendment or supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the

 

67


application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Note Guarantee of such Note Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Note Guarantor, enforceable against such Note Guarantor in accordance with its terms and or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

ARTICLE 12

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

SECTION 12.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company as the case may be) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture;

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

(iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture.

(b) The Company shall not permit any Note Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:

(i) in the case of any Note Guarantor which is a Domestic Subsidiary, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person will be a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person (if not such Note Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Note Guarantor under its Note Guarantee;

 

68


(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any Note Guarantor which ceases to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company evidenced by any outstanding Designated Notes.

SECTION 12.02. Successor to Be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on, all of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of this first part. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of ON Semiconductor Corporation any or all of the Notes, issuable hereunder that theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 12 may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

69


ARTICLE 13

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 13.01. Discharge of Indenture. When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes theretofore authenticated (other than any Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all the Notes not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption of all of the Notes (other than any Notes that shall have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, accompanied by a verification report, in the case of a deposit of U.S. Government Obligations, as to the sufficiency of the deposited amount, from an independent certified accountant or other financial professional satisfactory to the Trustee, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) remaining rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange and conversion of Notes, (ii) rights hereunder of Noteholders to receive payments of principal of and interest, if any, on, the Notes and the other rights, duties and obligations of Noteholders, as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (iii) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, on written demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as required by Section 19.05 and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; the Company, however, hereby agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Notes.

SECTION 13.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to Section 13.04, all monies or securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01, shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Noteholders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal.

SECTION 13.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all monies then held by any paying agent of the Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written request of the Company, be repaid to it or

 

70


paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such monies.

SECTION 13.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, any monies deposited with or paid to the Trustee for payment of the principal and accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on Notes and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Notes for two years after the date upon which the principal and accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of such Notes, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee on demand and all liability of the Trustee shall thereupon cease with respect to such monies; and the holder of any of the Notes shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment that such holder may be entitled to collect unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

SECTION 13.05. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the paying agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 13.02 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 13.01 until such time as the Trustee or the paying agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 13.02; provided that if the Company makes any payment of principal and accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or paying agent.

ARTICLE 14

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 14.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any amendment or supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

71


ARTICLE 15

CONVERSION OF NOTES

SECTION 15.01. Right to Convert. (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, on or prior to December 14, 2026, the holder of any Note shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert the principal amount of the Note, or any portion of such principal amount which is a multiple of $1,000, at the Conversion Rate in effect at such time (the “Conversion Obligation”), by surrender of the Note so to be converted in whole or in part, together with any required funds, under the circumstances described in this Section 15.01 and in the manner provided in Section 15.02. Prior to June 15, 2013, the Notes shall be convertible only upon the occurrence of one of the following events:

(i) during the five Business Day period immediately following any five consecutive Trading Day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each day of such Measurement Period was less than 103% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the applicable Conversion Rate on such Trading Day; or

(ii) as provided in Section 15.01(b).

On and after June 15, 2013, the Notes shall be convertible at any time.

Neither the conversion agent appointed by the Company nor the Trustee shall have an obligation to determine the Trading Price under this Section 15.01 unless the Company so requests by notice to the Trustee. The Company shall be obligated, within two Business Days, to make such a request notice if a holder of any Note so requests and either (i) such holder has provided the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes would be less than 103% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the applicable Conversion Rate or (ii) such holder has agreed to reimburse the Company for the Trustee’s reasonable expenses in connection with the determination of the Trading Price of the Notes. For purposes of the preceding sentence, reasonable evidence shall consist of at least one bid by an Independent Nationally Recognized Securities Dealer, which bid shall have been made not more than two days prior to the holder’s request. Following a Company request notice, the Trustee shall determine the Trading Price of the Notes beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 103% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the applicable Conversion Rate, and the Company shall provide such Trading Price information to the holder that requested the determination of the Trading Price; provided that the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to make the calculations described in this Section 15.01(a) or to determine whether the Notes are convertible pursuant to such section. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall make the calculations described in this Section 15.01(a)(i), using the Trading Price provided by the Trustee. In connection with any request by a holder of any Note that the Trading Price of the Notes be determined, if the Trustee determines that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes was less than 103% of the product of the Closing

 

72


Sale Price and the Conversion Rate during each day of the applicable Measurement Period, the Company shall reimburse such holder for any amounts paid to the Company or the Trustee in connection with the making of such determination.

If the condition set forth in Section 15.01(a)(i) has been met, the Company shall so notify the holders of the Notes. Upon giving notice to the holders of the Notes that such Notes are convertible, so long as the Notes remain convertible, neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be obligated to measure the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes until such time as the Company elects to instruct the Trustee to so measure. If at any point after the condition set forth in Section 15.01(a)(i) has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined in accordance with this Section 15.01(a), is equal to or greater than 103% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the applicable Conversion Rate, the Company shall so notify the holders of the Notes.

The Trustee shall be entitled at its sole discretion to consult with the Company and to request the assistance of the Company in connection with the Trustee’s duties and obligations pursuant to this Section 15.01(a) and the Company agrees, if requested by the Trustee, to cooperate with, and provide assistance to, the Trustee in carrying out its duties under this Section 15.01(a); provided that nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Trustee of its duties pursuant to this Section 15.01(a).

(b) In addition, if prior to June 15, 2013:

(i) (A) the Company distributes to all holders of its Common Stock rights or warrants entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 days of the applicable record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such distribution) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, at a price per share less than the average of the Closing Sale Price for the ten(10) Trading Days immediately preceding, but not including, the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Company; or (B) the Company distributes to all holders of its Common Stock, cash or other assets, debt securities or rights to purchase its securities, where the Fair Market Value of such distribution per share of Common Stock exceeds 10% of the Closing Sale Price on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Company, then, in either case, the Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time on and after the date that the Company gives notice to the holders of such distribution, which shall be not less than 20 days prior to the Ex-Dividend Time for such distribution, until the earlier of the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding, but not including, the Ex-Dividend Time or the date the Company publicly announces that such distribution will not take place; provided that no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made if the Holder will otherwise participate in such distribution on an as-converted basis in its capacity as a Noteholder without conversion in which case a Holder of a Note will not have the ability to convert pursuant to this Section 15.01(b); or

 

73


(ii) the Company consolidates with or merges with or into another Person or is a party to a binding share exchange or conveys, transfers, sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties and assets in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock is converted into cash, securities or other property, then the holders shall have the right to convert Notes at any time beginning 30 scheduled Trading Days prior to the date announced by the Company as the anticipated effective date of the transaction and until and including the related Designated Event Repurchase Date (or, if such transaction does not constitute a Fundamental Change, until and including the date which is 15 days after the earlier of (a) the actual effective date of such transaction or (b) the date that the Company announces that the transaction will not take place). If such transaction constitutes a Fundamental Change of the type specified in Section 15.01(d), a holder converting Notes during the period specified in Section 15.01(d) shall also be entitled to any Additional Shares payable in connection with such conversion pursuant to Section 15.01(d). The Company will notify holders of Notes and the Trustee at least 30 scheduled Trading Days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction. The Board of Directors shall determine the anticipated effective date of the transaction, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on the holders beginning on the effective date of the transaction, the right to convert the Notes into cash and Common Stock will convert into a right to convert the Notes into cash and Reference Property pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 15.06. If such transaction also constitutes a Designated Event, a Noteholder may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s Notes pursuant to Section 3.05.

Ex-Dividend Time” means, with respect to any distribution on shares of Common Stock, the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade regular way on the principal securities market on which the shares of Common Stock are then traded without the right to receive such distribution.

(c) A Note in respect of which a holder is electing to exercise its option to require the Company to repurchase such holder’s Notes upon a Designated Event pursuant to Section 3.05, or at the option of the holder pursuant to Section 3.06, may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election in accordance with Section 3.05(c) or Section 3.08, respectively. A holder of Notes is not entitled to any rights of a holder of Common Stock until such holder has converted his Notes into Common Stock, and only to the extent such Notes are deemed to have been converted into Common Stock under this Article 15.

(d) (i) If a Noteholder elects to convert Notes in connection with a Fundamental Change that occurs prior to December 15, 2013, in which the consideration is not at least 90% common stock that is listed on or immediately after such Fundamental Change will be listed on, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the American Stock Exchange, the Conversion Rate applicable to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes so converted shall be increased by an additional number of shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) as

 

74


described below. Settlement of Notes tendered for conversion to which Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate as provided in this subsection shall be settled pursuant to Section 15.02(d) below. For purposes of this Section 15.01(d), a conversion shall be deemed to be “in connection” with a Fundamental Change to the extent that such conversion is effected during the time period specified in Section 15.01(b)(ii).

(ii) The number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate will be increased shall be determined by reference to the table attached as Schedule A hereto, based on the date on which the Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the “Effective Date”), and the Stock Price; provided, however, that if the actual Stock Price is between two Stock Price amounts in the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares shall be determined by a straight–line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the next higher and next lower Stock Price amounts and the two nearest Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365/366 day year; provided further, however, that if (1) the Stock Price is greater than $50.00 per share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in the same manner as set forth in Section 15.05), no Additional Shares will be added to the Conversion Rate, and (2) the Stock Price is less than $7.50 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as set forth in Section 15.05), no Additional Shares will be added to the Conversion Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion exceed 133.3333 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to adjustment in the same manner as set forth in Section 15.05).

(iii) The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table in Schedule A hereto shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate of the Notes is adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares within the table shall be adjusted in the same manner as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 15.05 (other than by operation of an adjustment to the Conversion Rate by adding Additional Shares).

SECTION 15.02. Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Settlement Upon Conversion; No Adjustment for Dividends. (a) In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any Note in certificated form, the Company must receive at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose or, at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust Office, such Note with the original or facsimile of the form entitled “Conversion Notice” on the reverse thereof, duly completed and manually signed, together with such Notes duly endorsed for transfer, accompanied by the funds, if any, required by Section 15.02(j)). Such notice shall also state the name or names (with address or addresses) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock

 

75


which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued, and shall be accompanied by transfer or similar taxes, if required pursuant to Section 15.07.

In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any interest in a Global Note, the beneficial holder must complete, or cause to be completed, the appropriate instruction form for conversion pursuant to the Depositary’s book-entry conversion program, deliver, or cause to be delivered, by book-entry delivery an interest in such Global Note, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if required by the Company or the Trustee or conversion agent, and pay the funds, if any, required by Section 15.02(j) and any transfer taxes if required pursuant to Section 15.07.

(b) Subject to Section 15.02(d) and subject to the Company’s right to pay the Net Share Amount in cash pursuant to Section 15.02(c), the Company will satisfy the Conversion Obligation with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered for conversion in cash and shares of Common Stock, if applicable, by delivering, on the third Trading Day immediately following the last day of the related Observation Period, cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 20 Trading Days during the related Observation Period; provided that the Company may deliver cash in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or a full share of Common Stock pursuant to Section 15.03. The Daily Settlement Amounts shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the Observation Period.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 15.02(b), instead of delivering shares of Common Stock (or Reference Property following a Merger Event) in satisfaction of the Company’s obligation to deliver this Net Share Amount, the Company may elect to deliver to converting holders an additional amount of cash. If the Company so elects, the additional cash amount shall be equal to the sum of the amount, if any, by which Daily Conversion Value exceeds $50 on each of the 20 Trading Days during the related Observation Period. If the Company chooses to pay additional cash instead of the Net Share Amount, the Company will notify the Trustee and the holder through the Trustee of its election (such notice, the “Settlement Method Election Notice”) as follows: (i) if the Company has called Notes for redemption, in the applicable notice of redemption; (ii) if a Designated Event has occurred, in the applicable Designated Event Notice; and (iii) in all other cases, at any time on or before the date that is two Trading Days following the Conversion Date. If the Company does not timely provide the Settlement Method Election Notice, it shall settle the Net Share Amount in shares of Common Stock (or Reference Property following a Merger Event). The Company shall satisfy the obligation to deliver the Net Share Amount in respect of each Note with the same consideration to be provided in respect of the Net Share Amount in respect of all other Notes to be converted (i) after the Company has given a notice of redemption and prior to the corresponding redemption date; (ii) after the Company has given a Designated Event Notice and prior to the corresponding Designated Event Repurchase Date and (iii) on the same Conversion Date. Other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, the Company shall not have any obligation to satisfy its obligation to deliver the Net Share Amount arising on different Trading Days in the same manner. If the Company timely elects

 

76


to pay cash (other than cash in lieu of fractional shares) in satisfaction of its obligation to deliver the Net Share Amount, the Conversion Notice may be retracted by the holder at any time during the two Trading Day period (the “Conversion Retraction Period”) beginning on the Trading Day after the Company has given the Settlement Election Notice to the Trustee.

A Conversion Notice may be retracted during the applicable Conversion Retraction Period by means of a written notice of retraction delivered to the office of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) in accordance with the Settlement Method Election Notice at any time prior to the close of business of the final day of the Conversion Retraction Period, specifying:

(i) the certificate number, if any, of the Note in respect of which such retraction notice is being submitted, or the appropriate Depositary information if the Note in respect of which such retraction notice is being submitted is represented by a Global Note,

(ii) the principal amount of the Note with respect to which such retraction notice of is being submitted, and

(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note which remains subject to the original Conversion Notice and which has been or will be delivered for conversion.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 15.02(b), the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered for conversion to which Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 15.01(d) pursuant to this paragraph (d).

(i) If the last day of the applicable Observation Period related to Notes surrendered for conversion is prior to the third Trading Day preceding the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, the Company will satisfy the related Conversion Obligation with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered for conversion by delivering the cash and shares of Common Stock (based on the Conversion Rate, but without regard to the number of Additional Shares to be added to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 15.02(d)) on the third Trading Day immediately following the last day of the applicable Observation Period. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, the Company will deliver the increase in such amount of cash and Reference Property in lieu of shares of Common Stock, if any, as if the Conversion Rate had been increased by such number of Additional Shares during the related Observation Period (and based upon the related Daily VWAP prices during such Observation Period). If such increased amount of cash and shares, if any, results in an increase to the amount of cash to be paid to holders, the Company will pay such increase in cash, and if such increased amount results in an increase to the number of shares of Common Stock, the Company will deliver

 

77


such increase by delivering Reference Property based on such increased number of shares.

(ii) If the last day of the applicable Observation Period related to Notes surrendered for conversion is on or following the third scheduled Trading Day preceding the Effective Date of such Fundamental Change, the Company will satisfy the Conversion Obligation with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered for conversion (based on the Conversion Rate as increased by the Additional Shares pursuant to Section 15.02(d) above) on the later to occur of (1) the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change and (2) the third Trading Day immediately following the last day of the applicable Observation Period.

(e) Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any such Note (or portion thereof) on the date (the “Conversion Date”) on which the requirements set forth above in this Section 15.02 have been satisfied as to such Note (or portion thereof), and the Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date the holder of record of the shares represented thereby; provided that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the Person in whose name the certificates are to be issued as the record holder thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date upon which such Note shall be surrendered.

(f) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee (or other conversion agent appointed by the Company), or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee (or other conversion agent appointed by the Company), shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversions of Notes effected through any conversion agent other than the Trustee.

(g) Delivery of the amounts owing in satisfaction of the Conversion Obligation shall be made by the Company in no event later than the date specified in Section 15.02(b), except to the extent specified in Section 15.02(c) or 15.02(d). The Company shall make such delivery by paying the cash amount owed to the Conversion Agent or to the holder of the Note surrendered for conversion, or such holder’s nominee or nominees, and by issuing, or causing to be issued, and delivering to the Conversion Agent or to such holder, or such holder’s nominee or nominees, certificates or a book-entry transfer through the Depositary for the number of full shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as part of such Conversion Obligation (together with any cash in lieu of fractional shares).

(h) In case any Note of a denomination greater than $1,000 shall be surrendered for partial conversion, subject to Section 2.03, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the holder of the Note so surrendered, without charge to such holder, a new Note or Notes in authorized

 

78


denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note.

(i) Except as provided in Section 15.05, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article.

(j) Upon conversion, a Noteholder will not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the Conversion Obligations in accordance with this Article 15 shall be deemed to satisfy its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Notes that are converted and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, in respect of such Notes. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date, holders of such Notes as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date will receive the interest and Additional Interest, if any, payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest and Additional Interest, if any, payable on the Notes so converted; provided, however, that no such payment need be made (1) if the Company has specified a redemption date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, (2) if the Company has specified a Designated Event Repurchase Date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date or (3) to the extent of any overdue interest or Additional Interest, if any, existing at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Except as described above, no payment or adjustment will be made for accrued interest on converted Notes.

SECTION 15.03. Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip certificates representing fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of Notes. If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares that shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If any fractional share of stock would be issuable upon the conversion of any Note or Notes, the Company shall make an adjustment and payment therefor in cash at the current market price thereof to the holder of Notes; provided that at the Company’s option, the Company may issue one share of its Common Stock in lieu of paying cash for any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock. The current market price of a share of Common Stock shall be the Closing Sale Price on the last Trading Day immediately preceding the Conversion Date.

 

79


SECTION 15.04. Conversion Rate. Each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes shall be convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the form of Note (herein called the “Conversion Rate”) attached as Exhibit A hereto, subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 15.

SECTION 15.05. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company as follows:

(a) In case the Company shall hereafter pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of the outstanding Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the date following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution by a fraction,

(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution plus the total number of shares of Common Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution; and

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination,

such increase to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purpose of this paragraph (a), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company. The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 15.05(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) days after the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Company, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants by a fraction,

(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive

 

80


such rights or warrants plus the total number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants plus the number of shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so offered would purchase at a price equal to the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Company,

such adjustment shall be successively made whenever any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants had not been fixed. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Company, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, and conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, such increase or reduction, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock shares of any class of capital stock of the Company or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including cash or securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in Section 15.05(b), and excluding any dividend or distribution (x) paid exclusively in cash or (y) referred to in Section 15.05(a) (any of

 

81


the foregoing hereinafter in this Section 15.05(d)) called the “Securities”)), then, in each such case (unless the Company elects to reserve such Securities for distribution to the Noteholders upon the conversion of the Notes so that any such holder converting Notes will receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such holder is entitled, the amount and kind of such Securities which such holder would have received if such holder had converted its Notes into Common Stock immediately prior to the Record Date (as defined below) for such distribution of the Securities) the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall be equal to the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect on the Record Date with respect to such distribution by a fraction,

(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price on such Record Date; and

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price on such Record Date less the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) on the Record Date of the portion of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock,

such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following such Record Date; provided that if the then Fair Market Value (as so determined) of the portion of the Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on the Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Securities such holder would have received had such holder converted each Note on the Record Date. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the Fair Market Value of any distribution for purposes of this Section 15.05(d) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Current Market Price on the applicable Record Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Securities distributed by the Company to all holders of its Common Stock consist of capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, a Subsidiary or other business unit, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall be equal to the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect on the Record Date with respect to such distribution by a fraction,

(iii) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (A) the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the ten (10) Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day after the Ex-Dividend Time plus (B) the Fair Market Value of the securities distributed in respect of each share of Common Stock for which this Section 15.05(d) applies and shall equal the number of securities distributed in respect of each share of Common Stock multiplied by the average of the closing sale prices of those securities distributed (where such

 

82


closing sale prices are available) for the ten (10) Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day after the Ex-Dividend Time; and

(iv) the denominator of which shall be the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the ten (10) Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day after the Ex-Dividend Time,

such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following such Record Date; provided that the Company may in lieu of the foregoing adjustment make adequate provision so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Securities such holder would have received had such holder converted each Note on the Record Date with respect to such distribution.

Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s capital stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 15.05 (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 15.05 will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 15.05(d). If any such right or warrant, including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and record date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 15.05 was made, (1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or repurchase, and (2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.

No adjustment of the Conversion Rate shall be made pursuant to this Section 15.05(d) in respect of rights or warrants distributed or deemed distributed on any

 

83


Trigger Event to the extent that such rights or warrants are actually distributed, or reserved by the Company for distribution to holders of Notes upon conversion by such holders of Notes to Common Stock.

For purposes of this Section 15.05(d) and Section 15.05(a) and (b), any dividend or distribution to which this Section 15.05(d) is applicable that also includes shares of Common Stock, or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants (and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 15.05(d) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or warrants (and any further Conversion Rate adjustment required by Sections 15.05(a) and 15.05(b) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made), except (A) the Record Date of such dividend or distribution shall be substituted as “the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution”, “the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants” and “the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of Section 15.05(a) and 15.05(b) and (B) any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed “outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of Section 15.05(a).

(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary), then, in such case, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on such Record Date by a fraction,

(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price on such Record Date; and

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price on such Record Date less the amount of cash so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock,

such adjustment to be effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Record Date; provided that if the portion of the cash so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on the Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Noteholder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of cash such holder would have received had such holder converted each Note on the Record Date. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

84


(f) In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Company or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire and such tender or exchange offer (as amended upon the expiration thereof) shall require the payment to stockholders of consideration per share of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) that as of the last time (the “Expiration Time”) tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) exceeds the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Expiration Time by a fraction,

(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (x) the Fair Market Value (determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted up to any such maximum, being referred to as the “Purchased Shares”) and (y) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time and the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, and

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including the Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time multiplied by the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time,

such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Expiration Time. If the Company is obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but the Company is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made.

(g) In addition, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted to the extent required by Section 2(e) of the Registration Rights Agreement.

(h) For purposes of this Section 15.05, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

(i) “Current Market Price” shall mean the average of the daily Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of such date of determination and the day before the “ex” date with respect to the issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination requiring such computation immediately prior to the date in question. For purpose of this

 

85


paragraph, the term “ex” date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Sale Price was obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, and (2) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

If another issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination to which Section 15.05 applies occurs during the period applicable for calculating “Current Market Price” pursuant to the definition in the preceding paragraph, “Current Market Price” shall be calculated for such period in a manner determined by the Board of Directors to reflect the impact of such issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination on the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during such period.

(ii) “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).

(iii) “Trading Day” shall mean (x) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading on the Nasdaq Global Stock Market, American Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the Nasdaq Global Stock Market, American Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange is open for business, (y) if the applicable security is quoted on any United States system of automated dissemination of quotations, a day on which trades may be made thereon or (z) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(i) The Company may make such increases in the Conversion Rate, in addition to those required by Section 15.05(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

To the extent permitted by applicable law and Nasdaq Stock Market rules, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of time if the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Company, which determination shall be

 

86


conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Company shall mail to holders of record of the Notes a notice of the increase, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

(j) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1.00%) in such rate; provided that any adjustments that by reason of this Section 15.05(j) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided further that this paragraph (j) shall not apply to any Conversion Rate Increase Amount required to be effected or paid in the Registration Rights Agreement. All calculations under this Article 15 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000) of a share, as the case may be. No adjustment need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock pursuant to a Company plan for reinvestment of dividends or interest or for any issuance of Common Stock or convertible or exchangeable securities or rights to purchase Common Stock or convertible or exchangeable securities. To the extent the Notes become convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than capital stock of the Company), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash, assets, property or such securities. Interest will not accrue on any cash into which the Notes are convertible.

(k) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee and any conversion agent other than the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall mail such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to the holder of each Note at his last address appearing on the Note Register provided for in Section 2.05 of this Indenture, within twenty (20) days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.

(l) In any case in which this Section 15.05 provides that an adjustment shall become effective immediately after (1) a record date or Record Date for an event, (2) the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive a dividend or distribution pursuant to Section 15.05(a), (3) a date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive rights or warrants pursuant to Section 15.05(b), or (4) the Expiration Time for any tender or exchange offer pursuant to Section 15.05(f), (a “Determination Date”), the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of the applicable Adjustment Event (as hereinafter defined) (x) issuing to the holder of any Note converted after such Determination Date and before the occurrence of such

 

87


Adjustment Event, the additional shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such Adjustment Event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant to Section 15.03. For purposes of this Section 15.05(l), the term “Adjustment Event” shall mean:

(i) in any case referred to in clause (1) hereof, the occurrence of such event,

(ii) in any case referred to in clause (2) hereof, the date any such dividend or distribution is paid or made,

(iii) in any case referred to in clause (3) hereof, the date of expiration of such rights or warrants, and

(iv) in any case referred to in clause (4) hereof, the date a sale or exchange of Common Stock pursuant to such tender or exchange offer is consummated and becomes irrevocable.

(m) For purposes of this Section 15.05, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.

(n) The Company shall not take any action that would result in an adjustment of the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 15.05 without complying with the shareholder approval rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

SECTION 15.06. Effect of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale. (a) If any of the following events (each a “Merger Event”) occur, namely (i) any reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination to which Section 15.05(c) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Company with another Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to any other Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture (which shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) providing that each Note shall be convertible into cash and Reference Property as set forth in Section 15.06(b). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 15.

 

88


(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 15.01(d), at the effective time of such Merger Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes will be changed to a right to convert such Note by reference to the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property or assets that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such transaction would have been entitled to receive in such Merger Event (the “Reference Property”) such that from and after the effective time of such transaction, a Noteholder will be entitled thereafter to convert its Notes, based on the applicable Conversion Rate, into cash (up to the aggregate principal amount thereof) and, instead of the shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable in satisfaction of the Net Share Amount, units of Reference Property, based on the Daily Conversion Value of the units of Reference Property.

(c) In the event holders of Common Stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in any Merger Event, the Company shall make adequate provision whereby the Holders shall have a reasonable opportunity to determine the form of Reference Property that shall be used for purposes of determining the Daily Conversion Value and in which the Net Share Amount in respect of which all of the Notes, treated as a single class, shall be payable from and after the effective date of such Merger Event, subject to the Company’s right to elect to pay the net Share Amount in additional cash pursuant to Section 15.02(c). This provision does not limit the right of Holders in the event of a Fundamental Change, including Company’s obligation to increase the Conversion Rate by the Additional Shares in connection with a conversion. The determination: (a) will be made by Holders representing a plurality of Notes participating in such determination, (b) will be subject to any limitations to which all of the holders of Common Stock are subject, including, but not limited to, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the Reference Property payable in such Transaction and (c) will be conducted in such a manner as to be completed by the date which is the earlier of: (1) the deadline for elections to be made by holders of Common Stock, and (2) two Trading Days prior to the anticipated effective date of such Merger Event.

(d) The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be mailed to each holder of Notes, at its address appearing on the Note Register provided for in Section 2.05 of this Indenture, within twenty (20) days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.

(e) The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Merger Events.

(f) If this Section 15.06 applies to any Merger Event, Section 15.05 shall not apply.

SECTION 15.07. Taxes on Shares Issued. The issue of stock certificates on conversions of Notes shall be made without charge to the converting Noteholder for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax in respect of the issue thereof. The

 

89


Company shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of stock in any name other than that of the holder of any Note converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

SECTION 15.08. Reservation of Shares, Shares to Be Fully Paid; Listing of Common Stock. The Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion.

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment increasing the Conversion Rate to an amount that would cause the Conversion Price to be reduced below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will take all corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Rate.

The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of Notes will upon issue be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, Liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

The Company further covenants that it will, if permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes; provided that if the rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system) permit the Company to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the first conversion of the Notes into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the requirements of such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.

SECTION 15.09. Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee and any other conversion agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder of Notes to determine the Conversion Rate or whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any amendment or supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other conversion agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other conversion agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note

 

90


for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article 15. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any amendment or supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 15.06 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Noteholders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 15.06 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers’ Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture) with respect thereto.

SECTION 15.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case:

(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 15.05; or

(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of all or substantially all of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants; or

(c) of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;

the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and to be mailed to each holder of Notes at his address appearing on the Note Register provided for in Section 2.05 of this Indenture, as promptly as possible but in any event at least ten (10) days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution or rights are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such

 

91


dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

SECTION 15.11. Shareholder Rights Plans. Each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes pursuant to this Article 15 shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any shareholder rights plan adopted by the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time. If at the time of conversion, however, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable shareholder rights agreement so that the holders of the Notes would not be entitled to receive any rights in respect of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted in accordance with Section 15.05(d) treating all rights previously issued as Securities for purposes of such adjustment, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of the rights.

ARTICLE 16

SUBORDINATION

SECTION 16.01. Agreement to Subordinate. The Company agrees, and each Noteholder by accepting a Note agrees, that the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 16, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The Notes shall in all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and shall rank senior to all existing and future Subordinated Obligations of the Company; and only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall rank senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All provisions of this Article 16 shall be subject to Section 16.12.

SECTION 16.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to its respective creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

(a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full of such Senior Indebtedness before Noteholders shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes; and

(b) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which Noteholders would be entitled but for this Article 16 shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear, except that Noteholders may receive shares of stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to such Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Notes.

 

92


SECTION 16.03. Default on Senior Indebtedness. The Company may not pay the principal, interest (including Additional Interest), or premium (if any) on the Notes, make any deposit pursuant to Section 13.02 or otherwise repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, “pay the Notes”) if (a) any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due or (b) any other default on such Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (i) the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (ii) such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full; provided, however, that the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence has occurred and is continuing.

During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (a) or (b) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Notes for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Company) of written notice (a “Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (a) by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, (b) by repayment in full of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or (c) because no default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness is continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 16.03), the Company may resume payments on the Notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period, unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, and such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been repaid in full.

Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any period of 360 consecutive days, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period; provided, however, that if any Blockage Notice within such 360-day period is given by or on behalf of any holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness other than the Bank Indebtedness, the Representative of the Bank Indebtedness may give another Blockage Notice within such period; provided further, however, that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any period of 360 consecutive days. For purposes of this Section 16.03, no default or event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior

 

93


Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

SECTION 16.04. Acceleration of Payment of Notes. If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Trustee (provided, that the Trustee shall have received written notice from the Company or a Representative identifying the Designated Senior Indebtedness for which such Representative is so designated, on which notice the Trustee shall be entitled to rely conclusively) shall promptly notify the holders of each Company’s Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representative) of the acceleration. If any such Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is outstanding, the Company may not pay the Notes until five Business Days after such holders or the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay the Notes only if this Article 16 otherwise permits payment at that time.

SECTION 16.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a payment or distribution is made to Noteholders that because of this Article 16 should not have been made to them, the Noteholders who receive the payment or distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

SECTION 16.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full and until the Notes are paid in full, Noteholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article 16 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Noteholders is not, as between the Company and Noteholders, a payment by the Company on such Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 16.07. Relative Rights. This Article 16 defines the relative rights of Noteholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(a) impair, as between the Company and Noteholders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes in accordance with their terms; or

(b) prevent the Trustee or any Noteholder from exercising its available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive distributions otherwise payable to Noteholders.

SECTION 16.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 16.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Section 16.03, the Trustee or paying agent may continue to make payments on the Notes

 

94


and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article 16. The Company, the Note Registrar, the paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (as identified by the Company) may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Note Registrar and the paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 16 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article 8 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 16 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.06 or any other Section of this Indenture.

SECTION 16.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

SECTION 16.11. Article 16 Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Notes by reason of any provision in this Article 16 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article 16 shall have any effect on the right of the Noteholders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Notes.

SECTION 16.12. Trust Monies Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article 13 by the Trustee for the payment of principal of the Notes shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 16, and none of the Noteholders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.

SECTION 16.13. Trustee Entitled to Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall be entitled to rely (a) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 16.02 are pending, (b) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Noteholders or (c) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and

 

95


other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 16. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 16, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 16, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 16.

SECTION 16.14. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Noteholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided in this Article 16 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 16.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Noteholders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 16 or otherwise.

SECTION 16.16. Reliance by Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE 17

NOTE GUARANTEES

SECTION 17.01. Note Guarantees. (a) Each Note Guarantor hereby jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally Guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each Noteholder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal or interest (including Additional Interest) of the Notes and all other monetary obligations of

 

96


the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Note Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Note Guarantor, and that each such Note Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 17 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b) Each Note Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Note Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Note Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any Noteholder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any Noteholder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (v) the failure of any Noteholder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other Note Guarantor; or (vi) any change in the ownership of such Note Guarantor, except as provided in Section 17.02(b).

(c) Each Note Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Note Guarantors, such that such Note Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Note Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s or such Note Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Note Guarantor hereunder. Each Note Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Note Guarantor.

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

(e) The Note Guarantee of each Note Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article 18, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Note Guarantor and is made subject to such provisions of this Indenture.

(f) Except as expressly set forth in Sections 17.02 and 17.06, the obligations of each Note Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Guaranteed

 

97


Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Note Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Noteholder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed 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 any Note Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Note Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(g) Each Note Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Note Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest, if any, on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Noteholder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

(h) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Noteholder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Note Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Note 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 Noteholders or the Trustee an amount equal to the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations and interest, if any, accrued thereon.

(i) Each Note Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Noteholders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations and all obligations to which the Guaranteed Obligations are subordinated as provided in Article 18. Each Note Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Noteholders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 7 for the purposes of any Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 7, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Note Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 17.01.

 

98


(j) Each Note Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Noteholder in enforcing any rights under this Section 17.01.

(k) Upon request of the Trustee, each Note 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 17.02. Limitation on Liability. (a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Note Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Note Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

(b) A Note Guarantee as to any Note Guarantor shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Note Guarantor shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article 17 upon (i) the merger or consolidation of such Note Guarantor with or into any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company where such Note Guarantor is not the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger, (ii) the sale by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of the Capital Stock of such Note Guarantor (or by any other Person as a result of a foreclosure of any Lien on such Capital Stock securing Senior Indebtedness), where, after such sale, such Note Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) the sale, conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of such Note Guarantor to another Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that each such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance or transfer shall comply with Article 12. At the request of the Company, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release (in the form provided by the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Credit Agreement so requires, any Note Guarantor that has Guaranteed Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and is being released from its Guarantee thereunder will be simultaneously released from its Note Guarantee hereunder unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 17.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 17 shall be binding upon each Note Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Noteholders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Noteholder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

SECTION 17.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Noteholders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 17 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof

 

99


preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Noteholders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 17 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

SECTION 17.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 17, nor the consent to any departure by any Note 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 any Note Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Note Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

SECTION 17.06. Execution of Amendment or Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors. Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Note Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.08 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee an amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Note Guarantor under this Article 17 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such amendment or supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Note Guarantee of such Note Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Note Guarantor, enforceable against such Note Guarantor in accordance with its terms and or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

SECTION 17.07. Non-Impairment. The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

ARTICLE 18

SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTE GUARANTEES

SECTION 18.01. Agreement to Subordinate. Each Note Guarantor agrees, and each Noteholder by accepting a Note agrees, that the obligations of a Note Guarantor hereunder are subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 18, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor. The obligations hereunder with respect to a Note Guarantor shall in all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor and shall rank senior to all existing and future Subordinated Obligations of such Note Guarantor; and only Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor shall rank senior to the obligations of such Note Guarantor in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.

 

100


SECTION 18.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of a Note Guarantor to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of such Note Guarantor or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to such Note Guarantor and its property:

(a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in full of such Senior Indebtedness before Noteholders shall be entitled to receive any payment pursuant to any Guaranteed Obligations from such Note Guarantor; and

(b) until the Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which Noteholders would be entitled but for this Article 18 shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their respective interests may appear, except that Noteholders may receive shares of stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to such Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Note Guarantees.

SECTION 18.03. Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor. A Note Guarantor may not make any payment pursuant to any of the Guaranteed Obligations or repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, “pay its Guarantee”) if (a) any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor is not paid when due or (b) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (i) the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (ii) such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full; provided, however, that such Note Guarantor may pay its Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if such Note Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence has occurred and is continuing.

During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (a) or (b) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, such Note Guarantor may not pay its Guarantee for a period (a “Guarantee Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to such Note Guarantor and the Company) of written notice (a “Guarantee Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor specifying an election to effect a Guarantee Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is terminated (a) by written notice to the Trustee (with a copy to such Note Guarantor and the Company) from the Person or Persons who gave such Guarantee Blockage Notice, (b) by repayment in full of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or (c) because no default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness is continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described

 

101


in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 18.03), such Note Guarantor may resume payments with respect to its Note Guarantee after the end of such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period, unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness and such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not been repaid in full.

Not more than one Guarantee Blockage Notice may be given with respect to a Note Guarantor in any period of 360 consecutive days, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor during such period; provided, however, that if any Guarantee Blockage Notice within such 360-day period is given by or on behalf of any holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor other than the Bank Indebtedness, the Representative of the Bank Indebtedness may give another Guarantee Blockage Notice within such period; provided further, however, that in no event may the total number of days during which any Guarantee Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any period of 360 consecutive days. For purposes of this Section 18.03, no default or event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Guarantee Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Guarantee Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

SECTION 18.04. Demand for Payment. If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default and a demand for payment is made on a Note Guarantor pursuant to Article 17, the Trustee (provided that the Trustee shall have received written notice from the Company, such Note Guarantor or a Representative identifying such Designated Senior Indebtedness, on which notice the Trustee shall be entitled to rely conclusively) shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor (or the Representative of such holders) of such demand. If any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor is outstanding, such Note Guarantor may not pay its Guarantee until five Business Days after such holders or the Representative of the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor receive notice of such demand and, thereafter, may pay its Guarantee only if this Article 18 otherwise permits payment at that time.

SECTION 18.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a payment or distribution is made to Noteholders that because of this Article 18 should not have been made to them, the Noteholders who receive the payment or distribution shall hold such payment or distribution in trust for holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Note Guarantor and pay it over to them as their respective interests may appear.

SECTION 18.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor is paid in full and until the Notes are paid in full, Noteholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor to

 

102


receive distributions applicable to Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor. A distribution made under this Article 18 to holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor which otherwise would have been made to Noteholders is not, as between such Note Guarantor and Noteholders, a payment by such Note Guarantor on Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor.

SECTION 18.07. Relative Rights. This Article 18 defines the relative rights of Noteholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(a) impair, as between a Note Guarantor and Noteholders, the obligation of a Note Guarantor which is absolute and unconditional, to make payments with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations to the extent set forth in Article 17; or

(b) prevent the Trustee or any Noteholder from exercising its available remedies upon a default by a Note Guarantor under its obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor to receive distributions otherwise payable to Noteholders.

SECTION 18.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by a Note Guarantor. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor to enforce the subordination of the obligations of such Note Guarantor hereunder shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by such Note Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 18.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Section 18.03, the Trustee or the Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Notes and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article 18. A Note Guarantor, the Note Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor may give the notice; provided, however, that if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Note Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 18 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor; and nothing in Article 8 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 18 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.06 or any other Section of this Indenture.

 

103


SECTION 18.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

SECTION 18.11. Article 18 Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate. The failure of a Note Guarantor to make a payment on any of the Guaranteed Obligations by reason of any provision in this Article 18 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a default by such Note Guarantor under such obligations. Nothing in this Article 18 shall have any effect on the right of the Noteholders or the Trustee to make a demand for payment on a Note Guarantor pursuant to Article 17.

SECTION 18.12. Trustee Entitled to Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 18, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall be entitled to rely (a) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 18.02 are pending, (b) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Noteholders or (c) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor and other Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 18. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 18, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 18, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 18.

SECTION 18.13. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Noteholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of each of the Note Guarantors as provided in this Article 18 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 18.14. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Noteholders or the relevant Note Guarantor or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior

 

104


Indebtedness of such Note Guarantor shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 18 or otherwise.

SECTION 18.15. Reliance by Noteholders of Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor on Subordination Provisions. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of a Note Guarantor, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 18.16. Defeasance. The terms of this Article 18 shall not apply to payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes pursuant to the provisions described in Article 13.

ARTICLE 19

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 19.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Company and each Note Guarantor contained in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 19.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.

SECTION 19.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Notes on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows: to ON Semiconductor Corporation, 5005 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, Attention: President. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street-27th Floor, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Trust and Securities Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Noteholders and the Company.

 

105


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

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed to him by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed.

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

SECTION 19.04. Governing Law. This Indenture and each Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 19.05. Evidence of Compliance With Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 19.06. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the date of maturity of principal of the Notes or the redemption date of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such principal of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the redemption date.

SECTION 19.07. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; provided that unless otherwise required by law, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Indenture and the Notes issued hereunder shall not be subject to the provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), and

 

106


(a)(3) of Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act as now in effect or as hereafter amended or modified; provided further that this Section 19.07 shall not require this Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

SECTION 19.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the Company or its subsidiaries is located.

SECTION 19.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any paying agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder and the holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 19.10. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 19.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 3.03, 3.05, 3.06, 3.10 and 15.02, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 8.09.

Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 19.11, without the execution or filing of any paper

 

107


or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Note Register.

The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Company and the authenticating agent.

The provisions of Sections 8.02, 8.03, 8.04 and 9.03 and this Section 19.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

SECTION 19.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 19.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

 

108


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed.

 

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION,

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS

INDUSTRIES, LLC,

SCG (MALAYSIA SMP) HOLDING CORPORATION,

SCG (CZECH) HOLDING CORPORATION,

SCG (CHINA) HOLDING CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS

INDUSTRIES PUERTO RICO, INC.,

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS

INDUSTRIES OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.,

SCG INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LLC, and

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS

INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL OF

RHODE ISLAND, INC.

By:   /S/ DONALD A. COLVIN
  Name: Donald A. Colvin
  Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee

By:   /S/ WANDA CAMACHO
  Name: Wanda Camacho
  Title: Vice President
  /S/ ESTRELLE LAWRENCE
  Name: Estrelle Lawrence
  Title: Assistant Vice President


SCHEDULE A

 

    Stock Price

Effective Date

  7.50   9.00   10.00   11.00   12.00   13.00   14.00   15.00   20.00   25.00   30.00   40.00   50.00

December 15, 2006

  38.0952   28.1628   23.5920   20.0755   17.3116   15.0991   13.2997   11.8163   7.2107   4.9085   3.5707   2.1187   1.3655

December 15, 2007

  38.0952   27.8112   23.0658   19.4462   16.6260   14.3882   12.5838   11.1087   6.6234   4.4527   3.2193   1.9036   1.2274

December 15, 2008

  38.0952   27.0279   22.1233   18.4224   15.5710   13.3341   11.5507   10.1092   5.8451   3.8694   2.7791   1.6394   1.0583

December 15, 2009

  38.0952   26.0033   20.9045   17.1107   14.2310   12.0066   10.2607   8.8713   4.9183   3.1966   2.2834   1.3509   0.8766

December 15, 2010

  38.0952   24.6706   19.3166   15.4091   12.5057   10.3132   8.6323   7.3260   3.8231   2.4358   1.7395   1.0436   0.6847

December 15, 2011

  38.0952   22.8325   17.1170   13.0683   10.1629   8.0515   6.4975   5.3397   2.5429   1.6031   1.1638   0.7213   0.4809

December 15, 2012

  38.0952   20.0414   13.6965   9.4618   6.6485   4.7824   3.5412   2.7107   1.1492   0.7701   0.5890   0.3807   0.2574

December 15, 2013

  38.0952   15.8730   4.7619   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000

 


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (THE “DEPOSITARY”, WHICH TERM INCLUDES ANY SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY FOR THE CERTIFICATES) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREIN IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK (“COMMON STOCK”) OF ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY, THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

A-1


(D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE WITHIN MENTIONED TRUSTEE PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES WHERE REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IS REQUIRED, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE UPON REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATES AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY.

 

A-2


ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

2.625% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2026

CUSIP: 682189 AF 2

 

No. _____

   $_____

ON Semiconductor Corporation., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or its registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth on Schedule I hereto on December 15, 2026, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest (including Additional Interest, if any), semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2007, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of 2.625%, from the June 15 or December 15, as the case may be, from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest, including Additional Interest, if any, has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest, including Additional Interest, if any, has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from December 15, 2006 until payment of said principal sum, interest, including Additional Interest, if any, has been made or duly provided for; provided that if any Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day, then payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day. Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the interest, including Additional Interest, if any, payable on the Notes pursuant to the Indenture on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Person in whose name any Note is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest (including Additional Interest, if any) (i) on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note register (or upon written application by such Person to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to such Person’s account within the United States, if such Person is entitled to interest on an aggregate principal in excess of $1,000,000) or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

To the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, the Company promises to pay interest on overdue payments of principal (whether at maturity or in connection with any redemption, repurchase or otherwise) or interest (including Additional Interest) at a rate of 1.00% per annum

 

A-3


above the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes from the required payment date of such overdue payment.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash and Common Stock of the Company on the terms and subject to the limitations referred to on the reverse hereof and as more fully specified in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

A-4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:     
  Name:
  Title:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee

 

By:     
  Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

2.625% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2026

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2026 (herein called the “Notes”), unlimited in aggregate principal amount, issued and to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of December 15, 2006 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, SCG (Malaysia SMP) Holding Corporation, SCG (Czech) Holding Corporation, SCG (China) Holding Corporation, Semiconductor Components Industries Puerto Rico, Inc., Semiconductor Components Industries of Rhode Island, Inc., SCG International Development LLC and Semiconductor Components Industries International of Rhode Island, Inc., as guarantors (collectively, the “Note Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company, the Note Guarantors and the holders of the Notes.

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Note Guarantors have, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations on a senior subordinated basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

The Notes are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid before the Notes may be paid. Each of the Issuers and each Note Guarantor agrees, and each Noteholder by accepting a Note agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes may be declared by either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental

 

A-6


indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of each Noteholder so affected: (a) extend the fixed maturity of any Note; (b) reduce the principal amount or premium thereof or change the date on which any Note may be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.01(a) of the Indenture; (c) reduce the rate, or extend the stated time for payment, of interest, including Additional Interest, on any Note; (d) reduce any amount payable on redemption or repurchase of the Notes; (e) change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note at the option of a Noteholder on a Repurchase Date in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes, or change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note upon the happening of a Designated Event in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes; (f) impair the right of any Noteholder to receive payment of principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the payment thereof; (g) make the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, thereof payable in any coin or currency other than that provided herein; (h) impair the right to convert the Notes or reduce the amount of consideration receivable by a Noteholder upon conversion subject to the terms set forth in the Indenture, including Section 15.06 thereof; (i) modify any of the provisions of Section 11.02 or Section 7.07 of the Indenture, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each Note so affected; (j) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes set forth in Section 5.02 of the Indenture; (k) reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in Article 10 or modify or change Article 16, 17 or 18 in any manner adverse to the Noteholders’ rights thereunder; or (l) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences except (A) a default in the payment interest or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes (B) a default in the payment of the Redemption Price pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, (C) a default in the payment of the Designated Repurchase Price or Purchase Price pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, or (D) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions of the Indenture which under Article 11 of the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each or all Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution hereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.

 

A-7


No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

At any time on or after December 20, 2013 and prior to maturity, the Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the holders of Notes at their last registered addresses, all as provided in the Indenture, at a cash Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided, however, that if the redemption date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for redemption and the Redemption Price payable will be 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and will not include any interest.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, if a Noteholder elects to convert Notes in connection with a Fundamental Change that occurs prior to December 15, 2013, in which the consideration is not at least 90% common stock that is listed on or immediately after such Fundamental Change will be listed on, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the American Stock Exchange, the Conversion Rate applicable to each $1,000 principal amount of Notes so converted shall be increased by an additional number of shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) as set forth in the Indenture.

If a Designated Event occurs at any time prior to maturity of the Notes, the Company shall become obligated to purchase, at the option of the holder, all or any portion of the Notes held by such holder, on a date specified by the Company that is thirty (30) days after notice thereof at a cash Designated Event Repurchase Price of 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, including

 

A-8


Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Designated Event Repurchase Date; provided, however, that if the Designated Event Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for repurchase and the Designated Event Repurchase Price payable will be 100% of the principal amount of such Note and will not include any interest. The Notes will be subject to repurchase in multiples of $1,000 principal amount. The Company shall mail to all holders of record of the Notes a notice of the occurrence of a Designated Event and of the repurchase right arising as a result thereof on or before the 30th day after the occurrence of such Designated Event. To exercise such right, a holder shall deliver to the Company such Note with the form entitled “Designated Event Repurchase Notice” on the reverse thereof duly completed, together with the Note, duly endorsed for transfer, on or before the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Designated Event Repurchase Date, and shall deliver the Notes to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) as set forth in the Indenture.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company shall become obligated to purchase, at the option of the holder, all or any portion of the Notes held by such holder on December 15 of 2013, 2016 and 2021 in whole multiples of $1,000 at a cash Repurchase Price of 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided, however, that if the Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then interest payable on such Interest Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable Regular Record Date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for repurchase and the Repurchase Price payable will be 100% of the principal amount of such Note and will not include any interest; provided further, however, that no Notes may be repurchased by the Company pursuant to this paragraph if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or prior to the Repurchase Date. To exercise such right, a holder shall deliver to the Company such Note with the form entitled “Repurchase Notice” on the reverse thereof duly completed, together with the Note, duly endorsed for transfer, at any time from the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to such Repurchase Date until the close of business on the date that is two Business Days prior to the Repurchase Date, and shall deliver the Notes to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) as set forth in the Indenture.

Holders have the right to withdraw any Designated Event Repurchase Notice or the Repurchase Notice, as the case may be, by delivering to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) a written notice of withdrawal up to the close of business on the Designated Event Repurchase Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, all as provided in the Indenture.

 

A-9


If money or cash, sufficient to pay the Designated Event Repurchase Price or the Repurchase Price of all Notes or portions thereof to be purchased as of the Designated Event Repurchase Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, is deposited with the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), on the Designated Event Repurchase Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, interest, and Additional Interest, will cease to accrue on such Notes (or portions thereof) immediately after such Designated Event Repurchase Date or Repurchase Date, as they case may be, and the holder thereof shall have no other rights as such other than the right to receive the repurchase price upon surrender of such Note.

Subject to the occurrence of certain events and in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, prior to the final maturity date of the Notes, the holder hereof has the right, at its option, to convert each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes into cash and shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a Conversion Rate of 95.2381 shares (a conversion price of approximately $10.50 per share), as such shares shall be constituted at the date of conversion and subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Note with the form entitled “Conversion Notice” on the reverse thereof duly completed, to the Company at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, or at the option of such holder, the Corporate Trust Office, and, unless the shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in the same name as this Note, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the holder or by his duly authorized attorney. The Company will notify the holder thereof of any event triggering the right to convert the Notes as specified above in accordance with the Indenture.

Upon conversion, a Noteholder will not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the Conversion Obligations as provided for in the Indenture shall be deemed to satisfy its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Notes that are converted, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, in respect of such Notes. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date, holders of such Notes as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date will receive the interest and Additional Interest, if any, payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest and Additional Interest, if any, payable on the Notes so converted; provided, however, that no such payment need be made (1) if the Company has specified a redemption date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or prior

 

A-10


to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, (2) if the Company has specified a Designated Event Repurchase Date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date or (3) to the extent of any overdue interest or Additional Interest, if any, existing at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Except as described above, no payment or adjustment will be made for accrued interest on converted Notes.

No fractional shares will be issued upon any conversion, but an adjustment and payment in cash will be made, as provided in the Indenture, in respect of any fraction of a share which would otherwise be issuable upon the surrender of any Note or Notes for conversion. At the Company’s option, the Company may issue one share of its Common Stock in lieu of paying cash for fractional shares.

A Note in respect of which a holder is exercising its right to require repurchase upon a Designated Event or repurchase on a Repurchase Date may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election to exercise either such right in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

Any Notes called for redemption, unless surrendered for conversion by the holders thereof on or before the close of business on the Business Day preceding the redemption date, may be deemed to be redeemed from the holders of such Notes for an amount equal to the applicable redemption price, by one or more investment banks or other purchasers who may agree with the Company (i) to purchase such Notes from the holders thereof and convert them into shares of the Company’s Common Stock and (ii) to make payment for such Notes as aforesaid to the Trustee in trust for the holders.

Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange thereof, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent, any conversion agent and any Note Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment hereof, or on account hereof, for the conversion hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any other authenticating agent nor any paying agent nor other conversion agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, satisfy and discharge liability for monies payable on this Note.

 

A-11


No recourse for the payment of the principal and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, of this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer or director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.

 

A-12


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.

 

TEN COM -            as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -___ Custodian ___

TEN ENT-

   as tenant by the entireties    (Cust)    (Minor)

JT TEN-

   as joint tenants with right of survivorship    under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
   and not as tenants in common    _____________________________________________
      (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A-13


CONVERSION NOTICE

 

TO: ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or a multiple thereof) below designated, into cash and shares of Common Stock of ON Semiconductor Corporation in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that the cash and shares issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below; provided that the Company may at its option issue one share of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash for any fractional shares. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture. If shares or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will provide the appropriate information below and pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, accompanies this Note.

Dated: ______________________

 

  
   
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Note Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Note Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  
Signature Guarantee

 

A-14


Fill in the registration of shares of Common Stock if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder:

   
(Name)
  
(Street Address)
  
(City, State and Zip Code)
  
Please print name and address

Principal amount to be converted (if less than all):

$________________________________________

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:

_________________________________________

Book Entry Delivery to:

DTC Participant Name: ______________________________

DTC Participant Number: ____________________________

Deliver Notes (if any) via Book Entry Delivery to:

DTC Participant Name: ______________________________

DTC Participant Number: ____________________________

 

A-15


DESIGNATED EVENT REPURCHASE NOTICE

 

TO: ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a notice from ON Semiconductor Corporation (the “Company”) regarding the right of holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the Notes upon the occurrence of a Designated Event with respect to the Company and requests and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture at the price of 100% of such entire principal amount or portion thereof, together (if required under the Indenture) with accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Designated Event Repurchase Date, to the registered holder hereof. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture. The Notes, or applicable portion thereof, shall be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.

$______ principal amount of the Notes to which this Designated Event Repurchase Notice relates (if less than entire principal amount)

Dated:

Signature(s):

NOTICE: The above signatures of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Note Certificate Number (if applicable):

Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all):

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:

 

A-16


REPURCHASE NOTICE

 

TO: ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a notice from ON Semiconductor Corporation (the “Company”) regarding the right of holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the Notes and requests and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture at the price of 100% of such entire principal amount or portion thereof, together (if required under the Indenture) with accrued interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date, to the registered holder hereof. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture. The Notes, or applicable portion thereof, shall be repurchased by the Company as of the Repurchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.

$______ principal amount of the Notes to which this Repurchase Notice relates (if less than entire principal amount)

Dated:

Signature(s):

NOTICE: The above signatures of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Note Certificate Number (if applicable):

Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all):

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:

 

A-17


ASSIGNMENT

For value received ______________________________hereby sell(s) assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ___________________________________ (Please insert social security or other Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints ______________________________________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

In connection with any transfer of the Note prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) (other than any transfer pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act), the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:

 

  ¨ To ON Semiconductor Corporation or a subsidiary thereof; or

 

  ¨ To a “qualified institutional buyer” in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

 

  ¨ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

 

  ¨ Pursuant to a Registration Statement which has been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and which continues to be effective at the time of transfer;

and unless the Note has been transferred to ON Semiconductor Corporation or a subsidiary thereof, the undersigned confirms that such Note is not being transferred to an “affiliate” of the Company as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof.

Dated: ______________________

 

  
   
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Note Registrar, which requirements

 

A-18


include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Note Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
Signature Guarantee

NOTICE: The signature on the Conversion Notice, the Designated Event Repurchase Notice, the Repurchase Notice or the Assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

A-19


Schedule I

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2026

No. _______

The original principal amount of this Note is $_____ MILLION DOLLARS ($_____). The principal amount has been adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Indenture as set forth below:

 

Date

 

Principal Amount

 

Notation Explaining Principal
Amount Recorded

 

Authorized Signature of Trustee or
Custodian

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

A-20

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 15, 2006

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION COPY

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

between

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

as Issuer,

and

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

and

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

as representatives of the Initial Purchasers

Dated as of December 15, 2006


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of December 15, 2006, between ON Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”) listed on Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2006 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the guarantors listed therein (the “Guarantors”) and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide (including by causing the Guarantors to take such actions as may be required to provide) the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

The Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, (i) for their benefit as Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including the Initial Purchasers) from time to time of the Notes (as defined herein) and the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as defined herein) issued upon conversion of the Notes (each of the foregoing, a “Holder” and together, the “Holders”), as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f) hereof.

Additional Interest Accrual Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f) hereof.

Additional Interest Payment Date” means each June 15 and December 15.

Affiliate” means with respect to any specified person, an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 144, of such person.

Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company and any other shares of common stock as may constitute “Common Stock” for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

Conversion Rate” has the meaning assigned such term in the Indenture.

Deferral Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h) hereof.

Deferral Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h) hereof.

 

2


Effectiveness Deadline Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

Effectiveness Period” means the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.

Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f) hereof.

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

Guarantors” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of this Agreement.

indemnified party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c) hereof.

indemnifying party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c) hereof.

Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued.

Initial Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

Initial Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

Issue Date” means December 15, 2006.

Material Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h) hereof.

Notes” means the 2.625% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026 of the Company to be purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, including any Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers upon exercise of their option to purchase additional Notes.

Notice and Questionnaire” means a written notice delivered to the Company containing substantially the information called for by the Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Annex A to the Offering Memorandum of the Company dated December 12, 2006, relating to the Notes.

Notice Holder” means, on any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.

Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

3


Record Holder” means with respect to any Additional Interest Payment Date relating to any Notes as to which any Additional Interest has accrued, the registered holder of such Note on the June 1 immediately preceding an Additional Interest Payment Date occurring on a June 15, and on the December 1 immediately preceding an Additional Interest Payment Date occurring on a December 15.

Registrable Securities” means (w) the Notes until such Notes have been converted into or exchanged for cash and the Underlying Common Stock, (x) at all times subsequent to any such conversion, the Underlying Common Stock and any securities into or for which such Underlying Common Stock has been converted or exchanged, (y) to the extent provided in Section 2(a) hereof, such Underlying Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes if and to the extent registration of such conversion under the Securities Act is required to permit the issuance of such Underlying Common Stock to any Holder upon conversion of the Notes on an unrestricted basis under the Securities Act, and (z) any security issued with respect to the Underlying Common Stock referred to in clause (x) or (y) upon any stock dividend, split or similar event until, in the case of any such security referred to in clauses (w)-(z) above (A) such security may be sold on an unrestricted basis under the Securities Act by reason of the occurrence of one of the following:(i) its effective registration under the Securities Act and resale in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding period that would be applicable thereto under Rule 144(k) (without regard to any Affiliate status of the Holder) or (iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act, and (B) as a result of the event or circumstance described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), the legend with respect to transfer restrictions required under the Indenture with respect to such security is removed or removable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture or such legend, as the case may be (without regard to any Affiliate status of the Holder). For the avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that if, upon the conversion of any Note by any Holder, the Underlying Common Stock received by such Holder may not be resold on an unrestricted basis under the Securities Act (other than by reason of such Holder’s Affiliate status), then such Underlying Common Stock shall remain a Registrable Security.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

 

4


Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

Special Counsel” means Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP or one such other successor counsel as shall be specified by the Holders of a majority of all Registrable Securities, but which may, with the written consent of the Initial Purchasers (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), be another law firm experienced in securities law matters designated by the Company, the reasonable fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company pursuant to Section 5 hereof. Throughout this Agreement, for purposes of determining the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities in this definition, Holders of Underlying Common Stock that has been issued upon conversion of any Notes shall be deemed to be the Holders of an aggregate principal amount of Notes (in addition to the principal amount of any Notes held by such Holder) equal to the quotient of (x) the number of such shares of Underlying Common Stock held by such Holder and (y) the Conversion Rate in effect as of the date such consent is requested.

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) hereof.

Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the Trustee under the Indenture.

Underlying Common Stock” means the Common Stock into which the Notes are convertible or issued upon any such conversion.

SECTION 2. Shelf Registration.

(a) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed with the SEC, or, if permitted by Rule 430B under the Securities Act, otherwise designate an existing filing with the SEC, a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) registering (i) the resale from time to time by Holders thereof of all of the Registrable Securities and (ii) if and to the extent required by applicable securities laws to permit the issuance of Underlying Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes on an unrestricted basis under the Securities Act, the issuance by the Company of Underlying Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes by any Holders who acquired the Notes in registered resales pursuant to the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement or in resales pursuant to Rule 144; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to register the issuance of Underlying Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes with respect to any Holder if and to the extent the Company is not permitted to effect such registration under the Securities Act after using its reasonable best efforts to do so (the “Initial Shelf Registration Statement”). The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-1, Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for (x) resale by such Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and (y) issuance upon conversion of the Notes as provided in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act (unless such Initial Shelf Registration Statement is a previously filed Shelf Registration Statement that is effective at the time it is so designated) as

 

5


promptly as is practicable but in any event by the date (the “Effectiveness Deadline Date”) that is two hundred and ten (210) days after the Issue Date, and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities Act until the expiration of the Effectiveness Period.

(b) At the time the Initial Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective or designated, each Holder that became a Notice Holder no more than ten (10) business days following receipt of notice from the Company of the intended filing or designation of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. None of the Company’s securityholders (other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right to include any of the Company’s securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.

(c) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because all Registrable Securities registered thereunder shall have been resold pursuant thereto or shall have otherwise ceased to be Registrable Securities), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within thirty (30) days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file or designate an additional Shelf Registration Statement covering all of the securities that as of the date of such filing are Registrable Securities (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as is practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness Period.

(d) The Company shall supplement and amend the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement if required by the Securities Act or as necessary to name a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder pursuant to Section 2(e) below.

(e) Each Holder agrees that if such Holder wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(e) and Section 3(h). Each Holder wishing to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company no more than ten (10) Business Days following such Holder’s receipt of notice from the Company of the intended filing or designation of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement. Each holder who elects to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement agrees, by submitting a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company, that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of the Notice and Questionnaire and this Agreement. From and after the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective (or, if previously effective, designated), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is delivered pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof, and in any event upon the

 

6


later of (x) fifteen (15) Business Days after such date or (y) fifteen (15) Business Days after the expiration of any Deferral Period in effect when the Notice and Questionnaire is delivered or put into effect within fifteen (15) Business Days of such delivery date:

(i) if required by applicable law, file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable, but in any event by the date (the “Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date”) that is forty-five (45) days after the date such post-effective amendment is required by this clause to be filed;

(ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section 2(e)(i); and

(iii) notify such Holder as promptly as practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Section 2(e)(i);

provided, that if such Notice and Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in accordance with Section 3(h). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) the Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder that is not a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder in any Registration Statement or related Prospectus and (ii) the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date shall be extended by up to ten (10) Business Days from the expiration of a Deferral Period if such Deferral Period shall be in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date.

(f) If, other than as permitted hereunder, the Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date (an “Event”), the parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable Securities will be entitled to receive additional interest as provided for in this Section 2(f); provided, however, that the Company’s failure after using its reasonable best efforts to register under the Securities Act the issuance of Underlying Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes with respect to any Holder because the Company is not permitted to effect such registration under the Securities Act shall not constitute an Event for purposes of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, an Event shall begin on the Effectiveness Deadline Date and end on the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act or a previously filed effective Shelf Registration Statement is made available for use by Holders pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

7


Commencing on (and including) any date that an Event has begun and ending on (but excluding) the next date on which there is no Event that has occurred and is continuing (an “Additional Interest Accrual Period”), the Company shall pay, as additional interest and not as a penalty, to Record Holders of Registrable Securities an amount (the “Additional Interest”) accruing, for each day in the Additional Interest Accrual Period, in respect of any Note, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding for the first ninety (90) day period immediately following the occurrence of such Event, and such rate will increase to 0.50% thereafter until the Registration Statement is designated or becomes effective or during the additional period the Prospectus is unavailable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Additional Interest or other additional amounts will be payable following an Event in respect of shares of Underlying Common Stock into which any Notes have been converted even if such shares of Underlying Common Stock are Registrable Securities.

Additional Interest shall accrue from the first day of the applicable Additional Interest Accrual Period, and shall be payable on each Additional Interest Payment Date during the Additional Interest Accrual Period (and on the Additional Interest Payment Date next succeeding the end of the Additional Interest Accrual Period if the Additional Interest Accrual Period does not end on an Additional Interest Payment Date) to the Record Holders of the Registrable Securities entitled thereto; provided that any Additional Interest accrued with respect to any Note or portion thereof redeemed by the Company on a redemption date or converted into cash and Underlying Common Stock on a conversion date prior to the Additional Interest Payment Date, shall, in any such event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such Note or portion thereof for redemption or conversion on the applicable redemption date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date (or promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion).

The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of registered holders of Notes or Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of this Agreement, including for the payment of such Additional Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole damages payable for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which Additional Interest is expressly provided shall be such Additional Interest. Nothing shall preclude any Holder from pursuing or obtaining (i) specific performance or other equitable relief with respect to this Agreement or (ii) any damages or other available remedy with respect to any breach by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

All of the Company’s obligations set forth in this Section 2(f) that are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full (notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(k)).

The parties hereto agree that the Additional Interest provided for in this Section 2(f) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the Shelf Registration Statement to be designated or become effective or available for effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

8


SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall:

(a) Use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements referred to in Section 2(a) hereof or otherwise designate an existing effective filing with the SEC for use by the Holders as a Shelf Registration Statement, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that before filing or designating any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC (but excluding reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act), furnish to the Initial Purchasers and the Special Counsel of such offering, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed or designated at least three (3) Business Days prior to the filing or designation of such Registration Statement or amendment thereto or Prospectus or supplement thereto. Unless the Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company shall include the information required by Rule 430B(b)(2)(iii) under the Securities Act.

(b) Subject to Section 3(h), prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and use its reasonable best efforts to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act applicable to it with respect to (i) the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof and (ii) the issuance of Underlying Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes, in each case as set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.

(c) As promptly as practicable give notice to the Notice Holders, the Initial Purchasers and the Special Counsel, (i) when any Prospectus, prospectus supplement, Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC or any Registration Statement has been designated for use by the Holders and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective, (ii) of any request, following the effectiveness or designation of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information relating to the Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (v) of the determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or a supplement to the related

 

9


Prospectus will need to be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3(h)), state that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of Section 3(h) shall apply.

(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment, and provide immediate notice to each Notice Holder and the Initial Purchasers of the withdrawal of any such order.

(e) As promptly as practicable furnish to each Notice Holder, the Special Counsel and the Initial Purchasers, upon request and without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including exhibits and if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

(f) Deliver to each Notice Holder, the Special Counsel, if any, and the Initial Purchasers, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth therein.

(g) Prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders and the Special Counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be included in the Notice and Questionnaire); prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in connection with such Notice Holder’s offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

10


(h) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, the initiation of proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, the filing of a post-effective amendment during any period when the Company is not eligible to use Form S-3 or the initiation of an SEC review of the Company’s filings under the Exchange Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any fact (a “Material Event”) as a result of which any Registration Statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development that, in the reasonable discretion of the Company, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus:

(i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the next sentence, as promptly as practicable prepare and file, if necessary pursuant to applicable law, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement, subject to the next sentence, use its reasonable best efforts to cause it to be declared effective as promptly as is practicable, and

(ii) give notice to the Notice Holders, and the Special Counsel, if any, that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is suspended (a “Deferral Notice”) and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Notice Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x) in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as is practicable, (y) in the case of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company, public disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary to the interests

 

11


of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or expense, as soon as practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of clause (C) above, as soon as in the reasonable discretion of the Company, such suspension is no longer appropriate. The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(h) to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus (the “Deferral Period”); provided that the aggregate duration of any Deferral Periods shall not exceed thirty (30) days in any three month period (or sixty (60) days in any three month period in the event of a Material Event pursuant to which the Company has delivered a second notice as required below) or ninety (90) days in any twelve month period; provided that in the case of a Material Event relating to an acquisition or a probable acquisition or financing, recapitalization, business combination or other similar transaction, the Company may deliver to Notice Holders a second notice to the effect set forth above, which shall have the effect of extending the Deferral Period by up to an additional thirty (30) days, or such shorter period of time as is specified in such second notice.

(i) If reasonably requested in writing in connection with a disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours by one representative for the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities, any broker-dealers, underwriters, attorneys and accountants retained by such representative for the Notice Holders, and any attorneys or other agents retained by a broker-dealer or underwriter engaged by such representative for the Notice Holders, all relevant financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours on reasonable notice all relevant information reasonably requested by such representative for the Notice Holders, or any such broker-dealers, underwriters, attorneys or accountants in connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary for similar “due diligence” examinations; provided that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any non-public information shall be kept confidential by such persons and shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising rights under this Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law, (iii) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such information becomes available to any such person from a source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement, and provided further that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall, to the greatest extent possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the Notice Holders and the other parties entitled thereto by Special Counsel. Any person legally compelled to disclose any such confidential information made available for inspection shall provide the Company with prompt prior written notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy.

 

12


(ii) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) for a twelve month period commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall be made available no later than forty-five (45) days after the end of the twelve month period or ninety (90) days if the twelve month period coincides with the fiscal year of the Company.

(i) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities sold or to be sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends, and cause such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least two (2) Business Day prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities.

(j) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee and the transfer agent for the Common Stock with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities that are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

(k) Cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

(l) Upon (i) the filing or designation of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, announce the same, in each case by publicly disseminating such information through its website or by issuing a press release.

(m) Take all other reasonable actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales of the Registrable Securities and issuances of Underlying Common Stock on an unrestricted basis upon conversion of Notes in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SECTION 4. Holder’s Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities, that no Holder shall be entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof (including the information required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence. Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading and any other information regarding such Notice Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. Any sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder shall constitute a representation and warranty by such

 

13


Holder that the information relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set forth in the Prospectus delivered by such Holder in connection with such disposition, that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain any untrue statement of a material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan of distribution and that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale omit to state any material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan of distribution necessary to make the statements in such Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Holder further agrees that, neither such Holder nor any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to any Registration Statement on such Holder’s behalf, will make any offer relating to the Registrable Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act, unless it has obtained the prior written consent of the Company (and except for as otherwise provided in any underwriting agreement entered into by the Company and any such underwriter).

SECTION 5. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement whether or not any Registration Statement becomes effective. Such fees and expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the Special Counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as Notice Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement may designate), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii) duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock and (vi) any Securities Act liability insurance obtained by the Company in its sole discretion. In addition, the Company shall pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing by the Company of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar securities of the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, each seller of Registrable Securities shall pay selling expenses, including any underwriting discount and commissions, and all registration expenses to the extent required by applicable law.

SECTION 6. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Notice Holder, each person, if any, who controls any Notice Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and

 

14


against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus approved for use by the Company), caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein.

(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, its officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or any other Holder, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Holder, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof, such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligation to any indemnified party otherwise than as provided in (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a), the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities (with Holders of Underlying Common Stock that has been issued upon conversion of any Notes deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of determining such majority, of an aggregate principal amount of Notes (in addition to the principal amount of any Notes held by such Holder) equal to the quotient of (x) the number of such shares of Underlying Common Stock held by such Holder and (y) the Conversion Rate in effect as of the date such

 

15


designation is made) covered by the Registration Statement held by Holders that are indemnified parties pursuant to Section 6(a) and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b), the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

(d) Contribution. To the extent that the indemnification provided for in Section 6(a) or 6(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the initial placement pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (before deducting expenses) of the Registrable Securities to which such losses, claims, damages or liabilities relate. The relative benefits received by any Holder shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Registrable Securities that are registered under the Securities Act. The relative fault of the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Holders or by the Company, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 6(d) are several in proportion to the respective number of Registrable Securities they have sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and not joint.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding this Section 6, no indemnifying party that is a selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total

 

16


price at which the Registrable Securities sold by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) The remedies provided for in this Section 6 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to an indemnified party at law or in equity, hereunder, under the Purchase Agreement or otherwise.

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder, any person controlling any Holder or any affiliate of any Holder or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) the sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder.

SECTION 7. Information Requirements. The Company covenants that, if at any time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, it will cooperate with any Holder and take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request in writing (including, without limitation, making such representations as any such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such filing requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the Company’s most recent report filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities (other than the Common Stock) under any section of the Exchange Act.

SECTION 8. Miscellaneous.

(a) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is not, as of the date hereof, a party to, nor shall it, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement. The Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s securities under any other agreements.

(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities with Holders of Underlying Common Stock that has been issued upon conversion of any Notes deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of this

 

17


Section, of an aggregate principal amount of Notes (in addition to the principal amount of any Notes held by such Holder) equal to the quotient of (x) the number of such shares of Underlying Common Stock held by such Holder and (y) the Conversion Rate in effect as of the date such consent is requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i) this Agreement may be amended by written agreement signed by the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers, without the consent of the Holders of Registrable Securities, to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Agreement that shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Registrable Securities. Each Holder of Registrable Securities outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(b), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is delivered to such Holder.

(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier, or (iv) on the date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the parties as follows:

(i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto;

(ii) if to the Company, to:

ON Semiconductor Corporation

5005 E. McDowell Road

Phoenix, AZ 85008

Attention: General Counsel

Telecopy: (602) 244-5500

 

18


and

Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton

One Liberty Plaza

New York, NY 10006

Attention: [·], Esq.

Telecopy: (212) 225-3999

(iii) if to the Initial Purchasers, to:

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Attention: Legal Department

Fax no.: (212) 761-0316

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Attention: General Counsel

Fax no.: (212) 816-7912

or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.

(d) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial Purchaser or subsequent Holders if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

(e) Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any Registrable Securities from the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchasers. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Holder of any Registrable Securities; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

19


(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as provided in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings among the parties with respect to such registration rights. No party hereto shall have any rights, duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth in this Agreement.

(k) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for any liabilities or obligations under Section 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the obligations to make payments of and provide for Additional Interest under Section 2(f) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.

 

20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION,
By:   /s/ DONALD A. COLVIN
  Name: Donald A. Colvin
  Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement)


Confirmed and accepted as of

the date first above written, for themselves

and as representatives of the several Initial Purchasers:

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
By:   /s/ JEREMIAH J. HUX
  Name: Jeremiah J. Hux
  Title: Vice President

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:   /s/ CRAIG KRINBRING
  Name: Craig Krinbring
  Title: Director
News release for ON Semiconductor Corporation dated December 18, 2006

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

Ross Ayotte    Ken Rizvi
Corporate Marketing    Investor Relations
ON Semiconductor    ON Semiconductor
(602) 244-5978    (602) 244-3437
ross.ayotte@onsemi.com    ken.rizvi@onsemi.com

ON Semiconductor Updates Interest Expense and Share Count Guidance

after Successful Senior Bank Facility Prepayment and Share Repurchase

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Dec. 18, 2006 – ON Semiconductor Corporation (Nasdaq: ONNN) today announced that it has successfully prepaid approximately $199 million of its senior secured credit facility, bringing the balance down to approximately $200 million and repurchased approximately $230 million of common stock in privately-negotiated transactions, or approximately 30.7 million shares. The prepayment of a portion of its senior secured credit facility as well as the repurchase of common stock was financed through proceeds from its 2.625% $440 million convertible senior subordinated notes offering due in December of 2026 that closed December 15, 2006. The $44 million overallotment option was exercised by the initial purchasers and the company received approximately $471 million of net proceeds associated with the offering. Net proceeds not used to repay the senior secured credit facility or to repurchase shares will be used for general corporate purposes.

Since the transactions closed late in the December quarter, the company anticipates that the net interest expense benefit and share count reduction will have minimal impact to fourth quarter 2006 results. For calendar year 2007, however, the company currently anticipates that its net interest expense will be reduced from its current run rate by approximately 30 percent to approximately $28 million. The company also anticipates it will begin 2007 with a fully diluted share count of approximately 305 million shares based on the current stock price, which takes into account the 30.7 million shares repurchased as part of the transactions. The company also anticipates it will begin 2007 with over $250 million of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments if no further shares repurchases are made during the fourth quarter.

“We are excited by our recent series of transactions that have enabled the company to repurchase approximately 9 percent of its common stock outstanding, lower the overall cost of its debt and continue to push out its overall debt amortization. We believe the company is in a position to continue generating strong free cash flow and we will continue looking at other opportunities to improve shareholder value,” said Donald Colvin, ON Semiconductor executive vice president and CFO.

 

- more -


ON Semiconductor Updates Interest Expense and Share Count Guidance after Successful Senior

Bank Facility Prepayment and Share Repurchase

2 – 2 – 2 – 2

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The notes offering referred to in this press release was conducted through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About ON Semiconductor

With its global logistics network and strong portfolio of power semiconductor devices, ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ONNN) is a preferred supplier of power solutions to engineers, purchasing professionals, distributors and contract manufacturers in the computer, cell phone, portable devices, automotive and industrial markets. For more information, please visit ON Semiconductor’s website at http://www.onsemi.com.

# # #

ON Semiconductor and the ON Semiconductor logo are registered trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC. All other brand and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Although the company references its website in this news release, information on the website is not to be incorporated herein.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements and are often characterized by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” or “anticipates,” or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. In this news release, forward-looking information relates to the 2007 estimated share count, net interest expense, 2007 beginning cash, cash equivalents and short term investments and similar matters. All forward-looking statements in this news release are made based on management’s current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Among these factors are changes in overall economic conditions, the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, changes in demand for our products, changes in inventories at our customers and distributors, technological and product development risks, availability of raw materials, competitors’ actions, pricing and gross margin pressures, loss of key customers, order cancellations or reduced bookings, changes in manufacturing yields, control of costs and expenses, significant litigation, risks associated with acquisitions and dispositions, risks associated with our substantial leverage and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements, risks associated with our international operations, the threat or occurrence of international armed conflict and terrorist activities both in the United States and internationally, risks and costs associated with increased and new regulation of corporate governance and disclosure standards (including pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), and risks involving environmental or other governmental regulation. Additional factors that could affect the company’s future operating results are in Item 1A Risk Factors of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other factors are described from time to time in our SEC filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update such information.