-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, IZPDDF9Fu8VFcyfoL+n0bBw9wbk2b0N9gjbfzjUtMMPmALT/bV2uRrZN0+Qlo6+F c8oRj5Pfo8982i0dMqdv8w== 0001193125-10-260850.txt : 20101115 0001193125-10-260850.hdr.sgml : 20101115 20101115170129 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-260850 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: POSASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20101115 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20101115 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20101115 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Digital Realty Trust, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001297996 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-158958 FILM NUMBER: 101193579 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 560 MISSION STREET STREET 2: SUITE 2900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 BUSINESS PHONE: (415)738-6500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 560 MISSION STREET STREET 2: SUITE 2900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Digital Realty Trust, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001494877 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE [6500] IRS NUMBER: 202402955 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POSASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-158958-01 FILM NUMBER: 101193584 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 560 MISSION STREET, SUITE 2900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 BUSINESS PHONE: 415-738-6500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 560 MISSION STREET, SUITE 2900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 POSASR 1 dposasr.htm POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-3 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3
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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2010

Registration Nos. 333-158958 and 333-158958-01

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
26-0081711
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) Maryland

 

 

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
20-2402955
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 738-6500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

A. William Stein

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Investment Officer

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 738-6500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Julian T.H. Kleindorfer

Keith Benson

Latham & Watkins LLP

505 Montgomery Street, Suite 2000

San Francisco, California 94111

(415) 391-0600

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    ¨


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If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.:

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.:

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered(1)

 

Amount to be

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, Depositary Shares and Warrants of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  (2)(3)   (2)(3)   (2)(3)   (4)

Digital Realty Trust, L.P. Debt Securities(5)

  (2)(3)   (2)(3)   (2)(3)   (4)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Guarantees of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. Debt Securities(5)

  (6)           (6)
 
 

 

(1) This registration statement also covers delayed delivery contracts that may be issued by the applicable registrant under which the counterparty may be required to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. Such contracts may be issued together with the specific securities to which they relate. In addition, securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E.
(3) An unspecified number of the securities of each identified class is being registered for possible issuance from time to time at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), we are deferring payment of all applicable registration fees.
(4) Deferred in reliance upon Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).
(5) The debt securities will be issued by Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a majority-owned subsidiary of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. The debt securities offered by Digital Realty Trust, L.P. may be accompanied by guarantees issued by Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
(6) No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees being registered hereby.

 

 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement is a Post-Effective Amendment to the registration statement on Form S-3 of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (File No. 333-158958), which we refer to as the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement is being filed for the purposes of: (i) adding Digital Realty Trust, L.P. as an additional registrant under the Registration Statement; (ii) adding debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and guarantees by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. of debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. as additional securities to be offered under the prospectus included herein, which replaces the prospectus in the Registration Statement; and (iii) filing additional exhibits to the Registration Statement under Item 16 of Part II thereof. No changes or additions are being made hereby to any other item in Part II of the Registration Statement. Therefore, such other items have been omitted from this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement shall become effective immediately upon filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.


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PROSPECTUS

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants and Guarantees

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

Debt Securities

 

 

We may from time to time offer, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities: (i) shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, (ii) shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, (iii) depositary shares representing entitlement to all rights and preferences of fractions of shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s preferred stock of a specified series and represented by depositary receipts, (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares and (v) debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

This prospectus also covers delayed delivery contracts that may be issued by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or Digital Realty Trust, L.P. under which the counterparty may be required to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (including guarantees of the debt securities by Digital Realty Trust, Inc.). Delayed delivery contracts may be issued together with the specific securities to which they relate. In addition, securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

We refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and debt securities (together with any related guarantees) registered hereunder collectively as the “securities” in this prospectus. We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering of any such security.

The specific terms of each series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include, as applicable: (i) in the case of common stock, any public offering price; (ii) in the case of preferred stock, the specific title and any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights and any public offering price; (iii) in the case of depositary shares, the fractional share of preferred stock represented by each such depositary share; (iv) in the case of warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability; and (v) in the case of debt securities and, as applicable, related guarantees, the specific terms of such debt securities and related guarantees. In addition, because Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is organized and conducts its operations so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes, the specific terms of any securities may include limitations on actual or constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer of the securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s status as a REIT.

The securities may be offered directly by us, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. These securities also may be offered by securityholders, if so provided in a prospectus supplement hereto. We will provide specific information about any selling securityholders in one or more supplements to this prospectus. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled “Plan of Distribution” and “About this Prospectus” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such series of securities.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “DLR”.

 

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 for certain risk factors relevant to an investment in the securities.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is November 15, 2010.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Our Company

     1   

Risk Factors

     2   

About This Prospectus

     2   

Where You Can Find More Information

     2   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     4   

Forward-Looking Statements

     5   

Use of Proceeds

     7   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends

     8   

General Description of Securities

     9   

Description of Common Stock

     9   

Description of Preferred Stock

     11   

Description of Depositary Shares

     18   

Description of Warrants

     21   

Description of Debt Securities and Related Guarantees

     22   

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

     31   

Description of the Partnership Agreement of Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

     35   

Material Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Charter and Bylaws of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     41   

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

     47   

Selling Securityholders

     71   

Plan of Distribution

     71   

Legal Matters

     73   

Experts

     73   

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” or “the company” refer to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership, of which Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is the sole general partner. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “our operating partnership” or “the operating partnership” refer to Digital Realty Trust, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, in an accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or make any representation that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is correct on any date after the respective dates of the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements, as applicable, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are delivered or securities are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the respective dates of the prospectus contained in this registration statement and any accompanying prospectus supplement, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed. We may only use this prospectus to sell the securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

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OUR COMPANY

We own, acquire, develop, redevelop and manage technology-related real estate. Our properties are diversified in major markets where corporate datacenter and technology tenants are concentrated, including the Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York Metro, Northern Virginia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Silicon Valley metropolitan areas in the U.S. and the Amsterdam, Dublin, London and Paris markets in Europe. Our portfolio consists of Internet gateway and corporate datacenter properties, technology manufacturing properties and regional or national headquarters of technology companies. Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, operates as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership, is the entity through which Digital Realty Trust, Inc. conducts its business and owns its assets.

Our principal executive offices are located at 560 Mission Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, California 94105. Our telephone number is (415) 738-6500. Our website is located at www.digitalrealtytrust.com. The information found on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. Before acquiring any offered securities pursuant to this prospectus, you should carefully consider the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the risk factors incorporated by reference to the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the operating partnership’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed with the SEC on June 25, 2010, as amended, and the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment in the offered securities. Please also refer to the section below entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and debt securities (and related guarantees, as applicable) in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the applicable offering. Such prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent that this prospectus is used by any securityholder to resell any securities, information with respect to the securityholder and the terms of the securities being offered will be contained in a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We or any selling securityholders may offer the securities directly, through agents, or to or through underwriters. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information on this topic. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E. Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You can inspect reports and other information that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. files at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. maintains a website that contains information about us at http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, this website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this registration statement, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in

 

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the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where that contract is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, may be examined at the SEC’s public reference room. Copies of all or a portion of the registration statement can be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. This registration statement is also available to you on the SEC’s website.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. The incorporated documents contain significant information about us, our business and our finances. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009;

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010 (solely to the extent specifically incorporated by reference into Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009);

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed June 25, 2010, as amended (File No. 000-54023);

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010;

 

   

Combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, L.P. for the quarter ended September 30, 2010;

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2010; January 21, 2010; January 22, 2010 (two reports); January 29, 2010; March 24, 2010; May 3, 2010 (two reports); May 6, 2010; June 2, 2010; June 8, 2010; June 15, 2010; July 2, 2010; July 12, 2010; July 15, 2010; July 22, 2010; July 27, 2010; August 30, 2010, September 1, 2010, September 17, 2010, September 24, 2010 and November 9, 2010;

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010; March 24, 2010; June 28, 2010 and July 27, 2010;

 

   

Combined Current Reports on Form 8-K of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, L.P. filed with the SEC on October 1, 2010 and November 8, 2010;

 

   

the description of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on July 20, 2005 (file number 001-32336), including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating this description;

 

   

the description of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 28, 2004 (file number 001-32336), including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating this description; and

 

   

all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the underlying securities (excluding any portions of such documents that are deemed “furnished” to the SEC pursuant to applicable rules and regulations).

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the documents we are incorporating by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. A written request should be addressed to Investor Relations, Digital Realty Trust, Inc., 560 Mission Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, California 94105.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Also, documents we subsequently file with the SEC and incorporate by reference will contain forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “pro forma,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

the impact of the recent deterioration in global economic, credit and market conditions;

 

   

current local economic conditions in our geographic markets;

 

   

decreases in information technology spending, including as a result of economic slowdowns or recession;

 

   

adverse economic or real estate developments in our industry or the industry sectors that we sell to (including risks relating to decreasing real estate valuations and impairment charges);

 

   

our dependence upon significant tenants;

 

   

bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants;

 

   

defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants;

 

   

our failure to obtain necessary debt and equity financing;

 

   

increased interest rates and operating costs;

 

   

our failure to repay debt when due or our breach of covenants or other terms contained in our loan facilities and agreements;

 

   

financial market fluctuations;

 

   

changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

our inability to manage our growth effectively;

 

   

difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions;

 

   

our failure to successfully operate acquired or redeveloped properties;

 

   

risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments;

 

   

delays or unexpected costs in development or redevelopment of properties;

 

   

decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates;

 

   

increased competition or available supply of data center space;

 

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our inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and space held for redevelopment;

 

   

difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions;

 

   

our inability to acquire off-market properties;

 

   

our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to reporting companies;

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s failure to maintain its status as a REIT;

 

   

possible adverse changes to tax laws;

 

   

restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities;

 

   

environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters;

 

   

changes in foreign laws and regulations, including those related to taxation and real estate ownership and operation; and

 

   

changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates.

For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors,” including the risks incorporated therein, from Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed with the SEC on June 25, 2010, as amended, as updated by our subsequent filings, including filings we make after the date of this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. intends to contribute the net proceeds from any sale of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants pursuant to this prospectus to our operating partnership. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our operating partnership intends to use such net proceeds received from Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and any net proceeds from any sale of debt securities pursuant to this prospectus to acquire additional properties, to fund development and redevelopment opportunities and for general working capital purposes, including potentially for the repurchase, redemption or retirement of outstanding debt or equity securities.

Pending application of cash proceeds, our operating partnership may use the net proceeds to temporarily reduce borrowings under our revolving credit facility or we may invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s intention to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of securities by selling securityholders, if any, pursuant to this prospectus.

Further details regarding the use of the net proceeds of a specific series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends for the periods indicated are as follows:

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Year ended December 31,  
        2009      2008      2007     2006      2005  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

     1.56         1.82         1.58         1.13        1.38         1.68   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(1)

     1.23         1.29         1.09         —   (2)      1.10         1.31   

 

(1) All numbers presented in this table exclude 7979 East Tufts Avenue (sold in July 2006), 100 Technology Center Drive (sold in March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (sold in March 2007).
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred dividends by $9.0 million.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges are computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends are computed by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges and preferred dividends. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests and fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether expensed or capitalized, and interest within rental expense. “Preferred stock dividends” consist of the amount of pre-tax earnings required to pay dividends on Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s series A preferred stock (which was redeemed on August 24, 2010), series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Year ended December 31,  
        2009      2008      2007     2006      2005  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

     1.56         1.82         1.58         1.13        1.38         1.68   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred unit distributions(1)

     1.23         1.29         1.09         —   (2)      1.10         1.31   

 

(1) All numbers presented in this table exclude 7979 East Tufts Avenue (sold in July 2006), 100 Technology Center Drive (sold in March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (sold in March 2007).
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred distributions by $9.0 million.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges are computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred distributions are computed by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges and preferred distributions. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests and fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether expensed or capitalized, and interest within rental expense. “Preferred unit distributions” consist of the amount of pre-tax earnings required to pay distribution on Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s series A preferred units (which was redeemed on August 24, 2010), series B preferred units, series C preferred units and series D preferred units.

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We or any selling securityholders named in a prospectus supplement directly or through agents, dealers or underwriters designated from time to time, may from time to time offer, issue and sell, together or separately, under this prospectus one or more of the following categories of securities:

 

   

shares of common stock of Digital Realty Trust, Inc., par value $0.01 per share;

 

   

shares of preferred stock of Digital Realty Trust, Inc., par value $0.01 per share;

 

   

depositary shares representing entitlement to all rights and preferences of fractions of shares of preferred stock of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. of a specified series and represented by depositary receipts;

 

   

warrants to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (and related guarantees); or

 

   

debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P., which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

We may issue Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s debt securities, and related guarantees thereof by Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock, preferred stock and/or other securities and related guarantees. Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s preferred stock may also be exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares of its common stock, another series of its preferred stock, or its other securities. Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s debt securities and related guarantees by Digital Realty Trust, Inc., and Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares and warrants are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “securities.” When a particular series of securities is offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be delivered with this prospectus, which will set forth the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.

For purposes of the sections below entitled “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Depositary Shares” and “Description of Warrants,” references to “the company,” and “our company” refer only to Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and not to Digital Realty Trust, L.P. or its other subsidiaries.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following description of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the common stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate and will apply to the common stock offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The description of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s common stock set forth below and in any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s charter and bylaws.

General. The company’s charter provides that it may issue up to 145 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, or the common stock. As of November 11, 2010, 90,467,106 shares of the common stock were issued and outstanding, excluding:

 

   

3,912,349 shares available for future issuance under our incentive award plan;

 

   

483,468 shares underlying options granted under our incentive award plan;

 

   

795,537 shares issuable upon redemption of outstanding vested long-term incentive units (including class C units) issued under our incentive award plan;

 

   

552,547 shares issuable upon redemption of outstanding unvested long-term incentive units issued under our incentive award plan;

 

   

3,970,549 shares issuable upon redemption of outstanding common units;

 

   

178,003 shares potentially issuable upon redemption of outstanding unvested class C units;

 

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0 restricted shares issued under our incentive award plan; and

 

   

3,702,976 shares potentially issuable upon conversion of the company’s series C cumulative convertible preferred stock, using the current conversion rate, 8,313,742 shares potentially issuable upon conversion of the company’s series D cumulative convertible preferred stock, using the current conversion rate, 3,456,561 shares potentially issuable upon exchange of our operating partnership’s 4.125% exchangeable senior debentures, using the current conversion rate, and 6,269,990 shares potentially issuable upon exchange of our operating partnership’s 5.50% exchangeable senior debentures, using the current conversion rate.

All outstanding shares of the common stock are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the company’s charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, holders of shares of the common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized by the company’s board of directors out of assets legally available therefor and declared by the company and to share ratably in the assets of the company legally available for distribution to the company’s stockholders in the event of the company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment or establishment of reserves for all known debts and liabilities of the company.

Subject to the provisions of the company’s charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock and except as may be otherwise specified therein with respect to any class or series of common stock, each outstanding share of the common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of the company’s board of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of shares of the common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of the company and generally have no appraisal rights unless the company’s board of directors determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. Subject to the provisions of the company’s charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, shares of the common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless the action is approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Except for certain charter amendments relating to the removal of directors, the company’s charter provides that these actions may be taken if declared advisable by a majority of the company’s board of directors and approved by the vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. In addition, operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in the company’s situation, and these subsidiaries may be able to transfer all or substantially all of such assets without a vote of the parent corporation’s stockholders.

The company’s charter authorizes its board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of the common stock into other classes or series of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series.

 

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Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of the Common Stock. The company’s board of directors has the power to amend the company’s charter without stockholder approval to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of common stock, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of the common stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of the common stock and thereafter to cause the company to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock. The company believe these powers provide it with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. Subject to the limited rights of holders of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock and each other parity class or series of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, to approve certain issuances of senior classes or series of stock, the additional classes or series, as well as the common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by the company’s stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the company’s securities may be listed or traded. Although the company’s board of directors does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the company that might involve a premium price for the company’s stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, the company has adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of the common stock. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants the company issues. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles supplementary relating to that class or series.

General. The company’s charter provides that it may issue up to 30 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, or preferred stock. The company’s charter authorizes its board of directors to amend its charter without stockholder approval to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. As of November 11, 2010, 2,530,000 shares of the company’s series B preferred stock, 6,999,955 shares of the company’s series C preferred stock and 13,787,300 shares of the company’s series D preferred stock were issued and outstanding. No other shares of the company’s preferred stock are currently outstanding.

The company’s charter authorizes its board of directors to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of any series. Prior to issuance of shares of each series, the company’s board of directors is required by the MGCL and the company’s charter to set, subject to the provisions of the company’s charter regarding the restrictions on transfers of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such series. Thus, the company’s board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of the company that might involve a premium price for holders of the common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

 

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The preferences and other terms of the preferred stock of each class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to such class or series. A prospectus supplement, relating to each class or series, will specify the terms of the preferred stock, including, where applicable, the following:

(i) the title and stated value of such preferred stock;

(ii) the number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such preferred stock;

(iii) the dividend rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred stock;

(iv) whether such preferred stock is cumulative or not and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on such preferred stock shall accumulate;

(v) the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred stock;

(vi) the provision for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred stock;

(vii) any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange;

(viii) preemptive rights, if any;

(ix) the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such preferred stock will be converted into the common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);

(x) a discussion of any material United States federal income tax consequences applicable to an investment in such preferred stock;

(xi) any limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the company’s status as a REIT;

(xii) the relative ranking and preferences of such preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the company;

(xiii) any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the company;

(xiv) any voting rights of such preferred stock; and

(xv) any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such preferred stock.

Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company, rank: (i) senior to all classes or series of the common stock, and to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the preferred stock; (ii) on parity with any class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the preferred stock; and (iii) junior to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the preferred stock.

Conversion Rights. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into the common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of the common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such class or series of preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or series of preferred stock.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Preferred Stock. The company’s board of directors has the power to amend the company’s charter without stockholder approval to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of the company’s

 

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preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of the company’s preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock. Subject to the limited rights of holders of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock and each other parity class or series of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, to approve certain issuances of senior classes or series of stock, the additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by the company’s stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the company’s securities may be listed or traded. Although the company’s board of directors does not intend to do so, it could authorize the company to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the company that might involve a premium price for the company’s stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. To assist the company in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, the company has adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock. The company expects to adopt similar restrictions with respect to any class or series offered pursuant to this prospectus under the articles supplementary for each such class or series. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such class or series. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

General. The company’s board of directors and a duly authorized committee thereof approved articles supplementary, a copy of which has been previously filed with the SEC and which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, creating the series B preferred stock as a series of the company’s preferred stock, designated as the 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The series B preferred stock is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The series B preferred stock is currently listed on the NYSE as “DLR Pr B”.

Ranking. The series B preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up:

 

   

senior to all classes or series of the common stock, and to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the series B preferred stock;

 

   

on parity with any class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the series B preferred stock, including the company’s series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock; and

 

   

junior to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the series B preferred stock.

Dividend Rate and Payment Date. Investors are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on the series B preferred stock from and including the date of original issue, payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last calendar day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing September 30, 2005, at the rate of 7.875% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual amount of $1.96875 per share). Dividends on the series B preferred stock will accrue whether or not the company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

Liquidation Preference. If the company liquidates, dissolves or winds up, holders of the series B preferred stock will have the right to receive $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment, before any payment is made to holders of the common stock and any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the series B preferred stock as to liquidation rights. The

 

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rights of holders of series B preferred stock to receive their liquidation preference will be subject to the proportionate rights of any other class or series of the company’s stock ranking on parity with the series B preferred stock as to liquidation.

Optional Redemption. The company may not redeem the series B preferred stock prior to July 26, 2010, except in limited circumstances to preserve the company’s status as a REIT. On and after July 26, 2010, the series B preferred stock will be redeemable at the company’s option, in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the redemption date. Any partial redemption will be on a pro rata basis. On November 9, 2010, the company distributed a Notice of Redemption to all holders of record of its outstanding series B preferred stock regarding its redemption of all outstanding shares of the series B preferred stock at a redemption price of $25.37734 per share. The redemption price is equal to the original issuance price of $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The redemption date is December 10, 2010.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption. The series B preferred stock has no maturity date and the company is not required to redeem the series B preferred stock at any time. Accordingly, the series B preferred stock will remain outstanding indefinitely, unless the company decides, at its option, to exercise its redemption right, which it exercised on November 9, 2010. The series B preferred stock is not subject to any sinking fund.

Voting Rights. Holders of series B preferred stock generally have no voting rights. However, if the company is in arrears on dividends on the series B preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of the series B preferred stock (voting together as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of parity preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote at the company’s next annual meeting and each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders for the election of two additional directors to serve on the company’s board of directors until all unpaid dividends with respect to the series B preferred stock and any other class or series of parity preferred stock have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In addition, the company may not make certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the series B preferred stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of series B preferred stock and the holders of all other shares of any class or series ranking on parity with the series B preferred stock that are entitled to similar voting rights (voting together as a single class).

Conversion. The series B preferred stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the company’s other property or securities.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our series B preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

4.375% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

General. The company’s board of directors and a duly authorized committee thereof approved articles supplementary, a copy of which has been previously filed with the SEC and which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, creating the series C preferred stock as a series of the company’s preferred stock, designated as the 4.375% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. The series C preferred stock is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Ranking. The series C preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up:

 

   

senior to all classes or series of the common stock, and to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the series C preferred stock;

 

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on parity with any class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the series C preferred stock, including the company’s series B preferred stock and series D preferred stock; and

 

   

junior to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the series C preferred stock.

Dividend Rate and Payment Date. Investors are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on the series C preferred stock from and including the date of original issue, payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last calendar day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing June 30, 2007, at the rate of 4.375% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual amount of $1.09375 per share). Dividends on the series C preferred stock will accrue whether or not the company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

Liquidation Preference. If the company liquidates, dissolves or winds up, holders of the series C preferred stock will have the right to receive $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment, before any payment is made to holders of the common stock and any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the series C preferred stock as to liquidation rights. The rights of holders of series C preferred stock to receive their liquidation preference will be subject to the proportionate rights of any other class or series of the company’s stock ranking on parity with the series C preferred stock as to liquidation.

Optional Redemption. The company may not redeem the series C preferred stock except in limited circumstances to preserve its status as a REIT. Any partial redemption will be on a pro rata basis.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption. The series C preferred stock has no maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund and the company is not required to redeem the series C preferred stock at any time.

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of the series C preferred stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if the company is in arrears on dividends on the series C preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of shares of the series C preferred stock (voting together as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote at a special meeting called by at least 10% of such holders or at the company’s next annual meeting and each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the company’s board of directors until all unpaid dividends with respect to the series C preferred stock and any other class or series of parity preferred stock have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In addition, the company may not make certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the series C preferred stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the series C preferred stock together with the holders of all other shares of any class or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with the series C preferred stock that are entitled to similar voting rights (voting together as a single class).

Conversion. Holders may convert their shares of the series C preferred stock into shares of the common stock subject to certain conditions. The conversion rate was initially 0.5164 shares of common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $48.41 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events). Effective September 13, 2010, the conversion rate on the series C preferred stock was adjusted to 0.5290 shares of the company’s common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference of the series C preferred stock due to payments by the company of dividends in excess of the “reference dividend,” as set forth in the articles supplementary. On or after April 10, 2012, the company may, at its option, cause some or all of the series C preferred stock to be automatically converted into shares of common

 

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stock at the then-applicable conversion rate if (1) the closing sales price of the common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the then applicable conversion price of the series C preferred stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days and (2) on or prior to the effective date of the conversion, the company has either declared and paid, or declared and set apart for payment, any unpaid dividends that are in arrears on the series C preferred stock.

If holders of shares of the series C preferred stock elect to convert their shares of the series C preferred stock in connection with a fundamental change that occurs on or prior to April 10, 2014, the company will increase the conversion rate for shares of the series C preferred stock surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares determined based on the stock price at the time of such fundamental change and the effective date of such fundamental change, as set forth in the articles supplementary.

On or prior to April 10, 2014, in the event of a fundamental change when the applicable price of the common stock described in the articles supplementary is less than $40.34 per share, then holders of shares of the series C preferred stock will have a special right to convert some or all of their series C preferred stock on the fundamental change conversion date (as defined in the articles supplementary) into a number of shares of the common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference equal to such liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the fundamental change conversion date, divided by 98% of the market price (as defined in the articles supplementary) of the common stock. In the event that holders of shares of the series C preferred stock exercise the special conversion right, the company has the right to repurchase for cash all or any part of the series C preferred stock as to which the conversion right was exercised at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference of the series C preferred stock to be repurchased plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the fundamental change conversion date. If the company elects to exercise its repurchase right, holders of shares of the series C preferred stock will not have the special conversion right described above.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the company’s series C preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

5.500% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

General. The company’s board of directors and a duly authorized committee thereof approved articles supplementary, a copy of which has been previously filed with the SEC and which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, creating the series D preferred stock as a series of the company’s preferred stock, designated as the 5.500% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. The series D preferred stock is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Ranking. The series D preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up:

 

   

senior to all classes or series of the common stock, and to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the series D preferred stock;

 

   

on parity with any class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the series D preferred stock, including the company’s series B preferred stock and series C preferred stock; and

 

   

junior to any other class or series of the company’s stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the series D preferred stock.

Dividend Rate and Payment Date. Investors are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on the series D preferred stock from and including the date of original issue, payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last calendar day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing March 31, 2008, at the rate of

 

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5.500% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual amount of $1.375 per share). Dividends on the series D preferred stock will accrue whether or not the company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

Liquidation Preference. If the company liquidates, dissolves or winds up, holders of the series D preferred stock will have the right to receive $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment, before any payment is made to holders of the common stock and any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the series D preferred stock as to liquidation rights. The rights of holders of series D preferred stock to receive their liquidation preference will be subject to the proportionate rights of any other class or series of the company’s stock ranking on parity with the series D preferred stock as to liquidation.

Optional Redemption. The company may not redeem the series D preferred stock except in limited circumstances to preserve its status as a REIT. Any partial redemption will be on a pro rata basis.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption. The series D preferred stock has no maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund and the company is not required to redeem the series D preferred stock at any time.

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of the series D preferred stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if the company is in arrears on dividends on the series D preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of shares of the series D preferred stock (voting together as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote at a special meeting called by at least 10% of such holders or at the company’s next annual meeting and each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the company’s board of directors until all unpaid dividends with respect to the series D preferred stock and any other class or series of parity preferred stock have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In addition, the company may not make certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the series D preferred stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the series D preferred stock together with the holders of all other shares of any class or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with the series D preferred stock that are entitled to similar voting rights (voting together as a single class).

Conversion. Holders may convert their shares of the series D preferred stock into shares of the common stock subject to certain conditions. The conversion rate was initially 0.5955 shares of common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.98 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events). Effective June 11, 2010, the conversion rate on the series D preferred stock was adjusted to 0.6030 shares of the company’s common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference of the series D preferred stock due to payments by the company of dividends in excess of the “reference dividend,” as set forth in the articles supplementary. On or after February 6, 2013, the company may, at its option, cause some or all of the series D preferred stock to be automatically converted into shares of common stock at the then-applicable conversion rate if (1) the closing sales price of the common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the then applicable conversion price of the series D preferred stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days and (2) on or prior to the effective date of the conversion, the company has either declared and paid, or declared and set apart for payment, any unpaid dividends that are in arrears on the series D preferred stock.

If holders of shares of the series D preferred stock elect to convert their shares of the series D preferred stock in connection with a fundamental change that occurs on or prior to February 6, 2015, the company will increase the conversion rate for shares of the series D preferred stock surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares determined based on the stock price at the time of such fundamental change and the effective date of such fundamental change, as set forth in the articles supplementary.

 

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On or prior to February 6, 2015, in the event of a fundamental change when the applicable price of the common stock described in the articles supplementary is less than $35.73 per share, then holders of shares of the series D preferred stock will have a special right to convert some or all of their series D preferred stock on the fundamental change conversion date (as defined in the articles supplementary) into a number of shares of the common stock per $25.00 liquidation preference equal to such liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the fundamental change conversion date, divided by 98% of the market price (as defined in the articles supplementary) of the common stock. In the event that holders of shares of the series D preferred stock exercise the special conversion right, the company has the right to repurchase for cash all or any part of the series D preferred stock as to which the conversion right was exercised at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference of the series D preferred stock to be repurchased plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the fundamental change conversion date. If the company elects to exercise its repurchase right, holders of shares of the series D preferred stock will not have the special conversion right described above.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the company’s series D preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The company may, at its option, elect to offer depositary shares rather than full shares of preferred stock. Each depositary share will represent ownership of and entitlement to all rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specified series (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). The applicable fraction will be specified in a prospectus supplement. The shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the applicable prospectus supplement, under a deposit agreement, among the company, the depositary and the holders of the certificates evidencing depositary shares, or depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be delivered to those persons purchasing depositary shares in the offering. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

The summary of the terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus shall apply unless otherwise specified on a supplement to this prospectus. This summary, as modified by any supplement to this prospectus, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit agreement, the company’s charter and the form of articles supplementary for the applicable series of preferred stock.

Dividends. The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, which will be the same date as the record date fixed by the company for the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then outstanding.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, in proportion, as nearly as may be practicable, to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, unless the depositary determines (after consultation with the company) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may (with the company’s approval) adopt any other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate) and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

 

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Liquidation Preference. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption. If the series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares is redeemable, such depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever the company redeems any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption promptly upon receipt of such notice from the company and not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares to the record holders of the depositary receipts.

Voting. Promptly upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts as of the record date for such meeting. Each such record holder of depositary receipts will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by such record holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote such preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and the company will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting any of the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock. Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by such depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement. The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the company and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders (other than any change in fees) of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. No such amendment may impair the right, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, of any owner of any depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipt evidencing such depositary shares with instructions to the depositary to deliver to the holder the preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

The deposit agreement will be permitted to be terminated by the company upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (i) such termination is necessary to preserve the company’s status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon such depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by such depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. The company will agree that

 

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if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve the company’s status as a REIT, then it will use its best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares thereunder shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the company and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (iii) each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into stock of the company not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary. The company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The company will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and initial issuance of the depositary shares, and redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as are provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, may withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt if such charges are not paid. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information with respect to fees and charges, if any, in connection with the deposit or substitution of the underlying securities, the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the underlying security, and the transferring, splitting or grouping of receipts. The applicable prospectus supplement will also include information with respect to the right to collect the fees and charges, if any, against dividends received and deposited securities.

Miscellaneous. The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and proxy soliciting material from the company which are delivered to the depositary and which the company is required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any notices, reports and proxy soliciting material received from the company which are received by the depositary as the holder of preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information about the rights, if any, of holders of receipts to inspect the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of receipts.

Neither the depositary nor the company assumes any obligation or will be subject to any liability under the deposit agreement to holders of depositary receipts other than for its negligence or willful misconduct. Neither the depositary nor the company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the company and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder, and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The company and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of the depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and the company, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from the company.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and the company may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The company may issue warrants for the purchase of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or debt securities of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (and related guarantees), and may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities or attached to or separate from such securities. The company will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement, and may appoint a bank or trust company as warrant agent, all as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrant agent will act solely as the company’s agent in connection with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of warrant holders.

The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that may be offered under this registration statement. Further terms of the warrants and applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants outstanding;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the provisions, if any, for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

any anti-dilution protection;

 

   

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exercise and exchange of such warrants.

Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations and warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise or to any dividend payments or voting rights as to which holders of the shares of the common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise may be entitled.

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of shares of the common stock, preferred stock, depository shares or debt securities, at such exercise price as shall, in each case, be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date set forth in applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.

 

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Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the company will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants are presented by such warrant certificate of exercise, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND RELATED GUARANTEES

The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of our operating partnership’s debt securities and related guarantees by Digital Realty Trust, Inc., if applicable. When our operating partnership offers to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus, including the terms of any related guarantees by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

The debt securities may be offered in the form of either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be the direct, unsecured obligations of Digital Realty Trust, L.P., and will rank equally in right of payment with all of Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The debt securities that are sold may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into common stock or any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, or the trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. We have filed the form of the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement, and you should read the indenture and our debt securities carefully for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined in this prospectus have the meaning specified in the indenture.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any pricing supplement.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the indenture will designate Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as the trustee for the indenture with respect to one or more series of our operating partnership’s debt securities and related guarantees of our company, if applicable. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, or any other specified trustee, may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of our debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to that series.

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our operating partnership’s direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of its other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the company. We can issue an unlimited amount of our operating partnership’s debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, including any pricing supplement, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of such series of debt securities, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the title of the series (which shall distinguish the debt securities of that particular series from the debt securities of any other series);

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the debt securities of the series will be issued;

 

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the indenture (except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture);

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities of the series is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities shall be payable and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means, and the place or places where debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us relating to debt securities and the indenture may be served,;

 

   

if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

   

the obligation, if any, by us to redeem or purchase the debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies in which and the other terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the debt securities of the series will be repurchased by us at the option of the holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

 

   

if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable;

 

   

the forms of the debt securities of the series and whether the debt securities will be issuable as global securities;

 

   

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

the currency of denomination of the debt securities of the series, which may be in U.S. dollars or any foreign currency;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the debt securities of the series will be made;

 

   

if payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the debt securities of the series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

 

   

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

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the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the debt securities of the series or the guarantees, if any, thereof;

 

   

any addition to, change in or deletion from the events of default that apply to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the series;

 

   

the depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents, if any, with respect to the debt securities of the series, if other than as described in this prospectus or the indenture;

 

   

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion of any debt securities of the series, including if applicable, the conversion price, the conversion period, the securities or other property into which such debt securities will be convertible, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, at the option of the holders thereof or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such debt securities are redeemed;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if applicable, the subordination terms thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of a guarantee pursuant to the indenture, the terms of such guarantee and whether any such guarantee is made on a senior or subordinated basis and, if applicable, the subordination terms of any such guarantee;

 

   

a discussion of additional material United States federal income tax consequences, if any, applicable to an investment in such debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture insofar as it applies to such series).

In addition, the indenture does not limit our operating partnership’s ability to issue convertible or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion or subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock, cash or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities of our operating partnership that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the other special considerations applicable to any such debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of our operating partnership’s debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, or a nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a

 

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global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we designate for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, and premium and interest on, certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.

We will require the depositary to agree to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons who have accounts with the depositary for the related global debt security, which we refer to as participants, or persons who may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as the depositary for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book- entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture.

 

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We will make payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. We, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, and premium or interest on, a global debt security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one or more global debt securities and, in that event, will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the depositary and the depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of their respective assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that the following conditions are met:

 

   

Digital Realty Trust, L.P. or Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the case may be, shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than Digital Realty Trust, L.P. or Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the case may be) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the indenture;

 

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

   

an officer’s certificate and legal opinion covering these conditions shall be delivered to the trustee.

Events of Default

Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

   

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period),

 

   

default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt security of that series when due and payable,

 

   

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice of such default from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice of such default from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture,

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company, and

 

   

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

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The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series, and

 

   

the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

   

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver,

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security,

 

   

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities,

 

   

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity,

 

   

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration),

 

   

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security,

 

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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments, or

 

   

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

   

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and

 

   

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through

 

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the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities, and

 

   

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. In such a case, we would remain liable for those payments.

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars:

 

   

direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, or

 

   

obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the state of New York.

 

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

The following summary with respect to restrictions on ownership and transfer of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the company’s charter documents to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the company’s charter documents, as amended and supplemented from time to time, including any articles supplementary relating to any issuance of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus. Copies of the company’s existing charter documents are filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any amendment or supplement to the company’s charter documents relating to an issuance of securities pursuant to this prospectus shall be filed with the SEC and shall be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In order for the company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the company’s stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).

The company’s charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of the common stock, preferred stock and capital stock which are intended to assist the company in complying with these requirements and continuing to qualify as a REIT. The company’s charter provides that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of the common stock or of any series of preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the value of the company’s outstanding capital stock. The company refers to these restrictions as the “common stock ownership limit,” the “preferred stock ownership limit” and the “aggregate stock ownership limit,” respectively. A person or entity that becomes subject to one of the ownership limits by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as set forth below, is referred to as a “purported beneficial transferee” if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of the common stock, any series of the company’s preferred stock, or the company’s capital stock, as applicable, or is referred to as a “purported record transferee” if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been solely a record owner of the common stock, any series of the company’s preferred stock, or the company’s capital stock, as applicable.

The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of the common stock or any series of the company’s preferred stock or less than 9.8% of the value of the company’s outstanding capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, the company’s capital stock) by an individual or entity could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively more than 9.8% of the company’s outstanding common stock or a series of the company’s preferred stock or capital stock, as applicable, and thereby subject such stock to the applicable ownership limit.

The company’s board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the common stock ownership limit or aggregate stock ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it:

 

   

determines that such ownership will not cause any individual’s beneficial ownership of shares of the company’s capital stock to violate the aggregate stock ownership limit and that any exemption from the applicable ownership limit will not jeopardize the company’s status as a REIT; and

 

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determines that such stockholder does not and will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of the company (or a tenant of any entity owned in whole or in part by the company) that would cause the company to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.8% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant or that any such ownership would not cause the company to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

The company’s board of directors may also, in its sole discretion, waive the preferred stock ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it determines that such ownership will not: (1) cause any individual’s beneficial ownership of shares of the company’s capital stock to violate the aggregate stock ownership limit, or (2) jeopardize the company’s status as a REIT.

As a condition of the company’s waiver, the company’s board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to the company’s board of directors, and/or representations or undertakings from the applicant with respect to preserving the company’s REIT status.

In connection with a waiver of an ownership limit or at any other time, the company’s board of directors may increase the applicable ownership limit for one or more persons and decrease the applicable ownership limit for all other persons and entities; provided, however, that the decreased ownership limit will not be effective for any person or entity whose percentage ownership in the common stock, any series of the company’s preferred stock or capital stock, as applicable, exceeds the decreased ownership limit until such time as such person or entity’s percentage ownership equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit; but any further acquisition of the company’s common, preferred or capital stock, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership will be in violation of the applicable ownership limit. Additionally, the new ownership limit, as applicable, may not allow five or fewer stockholders to beneficially own more than 49% in value of the company’s outstanding capital stock.

The company’s charter further prohibits:

 

   

any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of the company’s stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and

 

   

any person from transferring shares of the company’s capital stock if such transfer would result in shares of the company’s stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution).

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of the company’s stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to the company and provide the company with such other information as it may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on the company’s status as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the company’s board of directors determines that it is no longer in the company’s best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

Pursuant to the company’s charter, if any purported transfer of the company’s stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits or such other limit as established by the company’s board of directors or would result in the company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit or causing us to be “closely held” or otherwise to fail to qualify as a REIT (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by the company. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported record transferee, prior to the company’s discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not

 

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automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent a violation of the applicable ownership limit or the company’s being “closely held” or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then the company’s charter provides that the transfer of the shares in excess of the ownership limit will be void. If any transfer would result in shares of the company’s stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect.

Shares of the company’s stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to the company, or the company’s designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported record transferee for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares of the company’s stock at market price, the last reported sales price reported on the NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of the company’s stock to the trust) and (2) the market price on the date the company, or its designee, accepts such offer. The company has the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of the company’s stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to the company, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported record transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If the company does not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from the company of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the common stock ownership limit or the preferred stock ownership limit, as applicable, and the aggregate stock ownership limit or such other limit as established by the company’s board of directors. After that, the trustee must distribute to the purported record transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported record transferee or owner for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the last reported sales price reported on the NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of the company’s stock to the trust) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported record transferee will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if prior to discovery by the company that shares of the company’s stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a purported record transferee, then such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and to the extent that the purported record transferee received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such purported record transferee was entitled to receive, such excess amount shall be paid to the trustee upon demand. The purported beneficial transferee or purported record transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee shall be designated by the company and shall be unaffiliated with the company and with any purported record transferee or purported beneficial transferee. Prior to the sale of any shares in excess of the common stock ownership limit, the preferred stock ownership limit or the aggregate stock ownership limit by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by the company with respect to the shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit, and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to such shares.

Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion:

 

   

to rescind as void any vote cast by a purported record transferee prior to the company’s discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and

 

   

to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust.

However, if the company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

 

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In addition, if the company’s board of directors or other permitted designees determine in good faith that a proposed transfer would violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of the company’s stock set forth in the company’s charter, the company’s board of directors or other permitted designees will take such action as it deems or they deem advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing the company to redeem shares of common stock or preferred stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on the company’s books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

Any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of the company’s stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of the company’s stock for a beneficial owner must, on request, provide the company with a completed questionnaire containing the information regarding the ownership of such shares, as set forth in the applicable treasury regulations. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of the company’s stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of the company’s stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner shall, on request, be required to disclose to the company in writing such information as the company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such stockholder’s actual and constructive ownership of shares of the company’s stock on the company’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the common stock ownership limit, the preferred stock ownership limit and the aggregate stock ownership limit, or as otherwise permitted by the company’s board of directors.

All certificates representing shares of the company’s common stock and preferred stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the company that might otherwise result in a premium price for the company’s stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the company’s stockholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P.

The following is only a summary of certain terms and provisions of the Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Digital Realty Trust, L.P., which we refer to as the partnership agreement, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Voting Rights

Under the partnership agreement, Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the operating partnership’s sole general partner, exercises exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the operating partnership’s day-to-day management and control, can cause the operating partnership to enter into major transactions including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings, subject to certain limited exceptions, and may not be removed as general partner by the limited partners. The limited partners do not have voting rights relating to the operating partnership’s operation and management, except in connection with matters, as described more fully below, involving amendments to the partnership agreement and transfers of the general partner’s interest.

The limited partners expressly acknowledged that Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the operating partnership’s general partner, is acting for the benefit of the operating partnership, its limited partners and Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders collectively. Neither Digital Realty Trust, Inc. nor its board of directors is under any obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners or Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders in deciding whether to cause the operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions. If there is a conflict between the interests of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders on one hand and the operating partnership’s limited partners on the other, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will endeavor in good faith to resolve the conflict in a manner not adverse to either Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders or the operating partnership’s limited partners; provided, however, that for so long as Digital Realty Trust, Inc. owns a controlling interest in the operating partnership, any conflict that cannot be resolved in a manner not adverse to either Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders or the operating partnership’s limited partners will be resolved in favor of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s stockholders. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is not liable under the partnership agreement to the operating partnership or to any partner for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by limited partners in connection with such decisions; provided, that it has acted in good faith.

Transferability of Interests

Except in connection with a transaction described in “—Termination Transactions” below, Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, may not voluntarily withdraw from the operating partnership, or transfer or assign all or any portion of its interest in the operating partnership, without the consent of the holders of a majority of the limited partnership interests. Any transfer of units by the limited partners, except to immediate family members, to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary, to a lending institution as collateral for a bona fide loan or to an affiliate or member of such limited partner, will be subject to a right of first refusal by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. All transfers must be made only to “accredited investors” as defined under Rule 501 of the Securities Act.

Amendments to the Partnership Agreement

Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, or by limited partners owning at least 25% of the units held by limited partners.

Generally, the partnership agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated without the approval of limited partners (other than limited partners 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. as general partner) holding a majority of all outstanding units held by limited partners.

 

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As general partner, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has the power to unilaterally make certain amendments to the partnership agreement without obtaining the consent of the limited partners as may be required to:

 

   

add to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s obligations as general partner or surrender any right or power granted to it as general partner for the benefit of the limited partners;

 

   

reflect the issuance of additional units or the admission, substitution, termination or withdrawal of partners in accordance with the partnership agreement;

 

   

reflect a change of an inconsequential nature that does not adversely affect the limited partners in any material respect, or cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions of the partnership agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions of the partnership agreement, or make other changes concerning matters under the partnership agreement that will not otherwise be inconsistent with the partnership agreement or law;

 

   

satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines of federal or state law;

 

   

reflect changes that are reasonably necessary for Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, to maintain its status as a REIT; or

 

   

modify the manner in which capital accounts are computed.

Amendments that would, among other things, convert a limited partner’s interest into a general partner’s interest, modify the limited liability of a limited partner, alter a partner’s right to receive any distributions or allocations of profits or losses, adversely alter or modify the redemption rights or alter the protections of the limited partners in connection with termination transactions described below must be approved by each limited partner that would be adversely affected by such amendment.

In addition, without the written consent of a majority of the units held by limited partners (other than limited partners 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. as general partner), Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, may not do any of the following:

 

   

take any action in contravention of an express prohibition or limitation contained in the partnership agreement;

 

   

perform any act that would subject a limited partner to liability as a general partner in any jurisdiction or any liability not contemplated in the partnership agreement;

 

   

enter into any contract, mortgage loan or other agreement that prohibits or restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting, the ability of a limited partner to exercise its redemption/exchange rights explained below;

 

   

enter into or conduct any business other than in connection with its role as the operating partnership’s general partner and its operation as a REIT;

 

   

acquire an interest in real or personal property other than through the operating partnership;

 

   

withdraw from the operating partnership or transfer any portion of its general partnership interest; or

 

   

be relieved of its obligations under the partnership agreement following any permitted transfer of its general partnership interest.

Distributions to Unitholders

The partnership agreement provides that holders of common units are entitled to receive quarterly distributions of available cash on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the sole holder of the operating partnership’s series B preferred units, series C preferred units and series D preferred units, receives distributions from the operating partnership with respect to such preferred units in order to make the distributions to series B preferred stockholders, series C preferred stockholders and series D preferred stockholders of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

 

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Redemption/Exchange Rights

Limited partners have the right to require the operating partnership to redeem part or all of their units for cash based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock at the time of the redemption. Alternatively, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may elect to acquire those units in exchange for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock. Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s acquisition will be on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, issuances of stock rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. presently anticipates that it will elect to issue shares of its common stock in exchange for units in connection with each redemption request, rather than having the operating partnership redeem the units for cash. With each redemption or exchange, Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s percentage ownership interest in the operating partnership increases. Limited partners who hold units may exercise this redemption right from time to time, in whole or in part, except when, as a consequence of shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock being issued, any person’s actual or constructive stock ownership would exceed Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s ownership limits, or any other limit as provided in its charter or as otherwise determined by its board of directors.

In addition, if the number of units delivered by a limited partner for redemption exceeds 9.8% of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s outstanding common stock and $50.0 million in gross value (based on a unit value equal to the trailing ten-day daily price of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock) and Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, then it may also elect to redeem the units with the proceeds from a public offering or private placement of its common stock. In the event it elects this option, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may require the other limited partners also to elect whether or not to participate. If it does so, any limited partner who does not elect to participate will not be permitted to redeem units for the subsequent 12 months, subject to limited exceptions. Participating limited partners will receive on the redemption date the lesser of the cash the operating partnership would otherwise be required to pay for such units or the net proceeds per share in the public offering, but will have a limited opportunity to withdraw their units from the redemption immediately prior to the pricing of the public offering. Except as described above, a limited partner is not entitled to redeem common units, either for cash or shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock, if exchanging the common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock would violate the ownership limits set forth in Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s charter.

Issuance of Additional Common Units, Preferred Units, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Convertible Securities

As the operating partnership’s sole general partner, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has the ability to cause the operating partnership to issue additional units representing general and limited partnership interests. These additional units may include preferred limited partnership units. In addition, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may issue additional shares of its common stock or convertible securities, but only if it causes the operating partnership to issue to it partnership interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the operating partnership having designations, preferences and other rights, so that the economic interests of the operating partnership’s interests issued are substantially similar to the economic interests of the securities that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has issued.

Tax Matters

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is the operating partnership’s tax matters partner and, as such, it has authority to make tax elections under the Code on the operating partnership’s behalf.

Allocations of Net Income and Net Losses to Partners

The operating partnership’s net income will generally be allocated to Digital Realty Trust, Inc. to the extent of the accrued preferred return on its preferred units, and then to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, and the limited partners in accordance with the respective percentage interests in the common units issued by the

 

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operating partnership. Net loss will generally be allocated to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, and the limited partners in accordance with the respective common percentage interests in the operating partnership until the limited partner’s capital is reduced to zero and any remaining net loss would be allocated to Digital Realty Trust, Inc. However, in some cases, losses may be disproportionately allocated to partners who have guaranteed our debt. The allocations described above are subject to special allocations relating to depreciation deductions and to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and the associated Treasury Regulations.

In addition, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may from time to time issue long-term incentive units, which are also referred to as profits interest units, to persons who provide services to the company for such consideration or for no consideration as it may determine to be appropriate, and admit such persons as limited partners. The long-term incentive units are similar to the operating partnership’s common units in many respects and rank pari passu with the operating partnership’s common units as to the payment of regular and special periodic or other distributions except liquidating distributions. The long-term incentive units may be subject to vesting requirements. Initially, long-term incentive units do not have full parity with common units with respect to liquidating distributions. If such parity is reached, vested long-term incentive units may be converted into an equal number of common units of the operating partnership at any time, and thereafter enjoy all the rights of common units of the operating partnership, including redemption rights.

In order to achieve full parity with common units, long-term incentive units must be fully vested and the holder’s capital account balance in respect of such long-term incentive units must be equal to the capital account balance of a holder of an equivalent number of common units. The capital account balance attributable to each common unit is generally expected to be the same, in part because of the amount credited to a partner’s capital account upon their contribution of property to the operating partnership, and in part because the partnership agreement provides, in most cases, that allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction (which will adjust the partners’ capital accounts) are to be made to the common units on a proportionate basis. As a result, with respect to a number of long-term incentive units, it is possible to determine the capital account balance of an equivalent number of common units by multiplying the number of long-term incentive units by the capital account balance with respect to a common unit.

A partner’s initial capital account balance is equal to the amount the partner paid (or contributed to the operating partnership) for its units and is subject to subsequent adjustments, including with respect to the partner’s share of income, gain or loss of the operating partnership. Because a holder of long-term incentive units generally will not pay for the long-term incentive units, the initial capital account balance attributable to such long-term incentive units will be zero. However, the operating partnership is required to allocate income, gain, loss and deduction to the partners’ capital accounts in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, subject to applicable Treasury Regulations. The partnership agreement provides that holders of long-term incentive units will receive special allocations of gain in the event of a sale or “hypothetical sale” of assets of the operating partnership prior to the allocation of gain to Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or other limited partners with respect to their common units. The amount of such allocation will, to the extent of any such gain, be equal to the difference between the capital account balance of a holder of long-term incentive units attributable to such units and the capital account balance attributable to an equivalent number of common units. If and when such gain allocation is fully made, a holder of long-term incentive units will have achieved full parity with holders of common units. To the extent that, upon an actual sale or a “hypothetical sale” of the operating partnership’s assets as described above, there is not sufficient gain to allocate to a holder’s capital account with respect to long-term incentive units, or if such sale or “hypothetical sale” does not occur, such units will not achieve parity with common units.

The term “hypothetical sale” refers to circumstances that are not actual sales of the operating partnership’s assets but that require certain adjustments to the value of the operating partnership’s assets and the partners’ capital account balances. Specifically, the partnership agreement provides that, from time to time, in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations, the operating partnership will adjust the value of its assets to equal their respective fair market values, and adjust the partners’ capital accounts, in accordance with the terms of the

 

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partnership agreement, as if the operating partnership sold its assets for an amount equal to their value. Times for making such adjustments generally include the liquidation of the operating partnership, the acquisition of an additional interest in the operating partnership by a new or existing partner in exchange for more than a de minimis capital contribution, the distribution by the operating partnership to a partner of more than a de minimis amount of partnership property as consideration for an interest in the operating partnership, in connection with the grant of an interest in the operating partnership (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the operating partnership (including the grant of a long-term incentive unit), and at such other times as may be desirable or required to comply with the Treasury Regulations.

We may also from time to time issue class C profits interest units, or class C units, to persons who provide services to us for such consideration or for no consideration as we may determine to be appropriate. If all applicable performance and other vesting conditions are satisfied with respect to a class C unit, the class C unit will be treated in the same manner as the long-term incentive units issued by us. Class C units are not entitled to quarterly distributions prior to the satisfaction of all applicable performance conditions. Class C units are subject to the same conditions as other long-term incentive units with respect to achieving full parity with common units.

Operations

The partnership agreement provides that Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, will determine in its discretion and distribute available cash on a quarterly basis, pro rata in accordance with the partners’ percentage interests. Available cash is our net operating cash flow plus the reduction of any reserves and minus principal payment on debt and capital expenditures, investments in any entity, and increase in reserves or working capital accounts and any amounts paid in redemption of limited partner interests.

The partnership agreement provides that the operating partnership will assume and pay when due, or reimburse Digital Realty Trust, Inc. for payment of all costs and expenses relating to the operating partnership’s operations, or for the operating partnership’s benefit.

Termination Transactions

The partnership agreement provides that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. may not engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination with or into another person, sale of all or substantially all of its assets or any reclassification or any recapitalization or change in outstanding shares of its common stock, which we refer to as a termination transaction, unless in connection with a termination transaction:

 

  (i) it obtains the consent of the holders of at least 35% of the operating partnership’s common units, long-term incentive units and class C units (including units held by it), and

 

  (ii) either:

 

  (A) all limited partners will receive, or have the right to elect to receive, for each common unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of:

 

   

the number of shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock into which each unit is then exchangeable, and

 

   

the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to the holder of one share of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock in consideration of one share of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock in connection with the termination transaction,

provided that, if, in connection with a termination transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to and accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock, each holder of common units will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder would have received had it exercised its redemption right

 

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and received shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock in exchange for its common units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer; or

 

  (B) the following conditions are met:

 

   

substantially all of the assets of the surviving entity are held directly or indirectly by the operating partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the surviving partnership of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the operating partnership;

 

   

the holders of common units, long-term incentive units and class C units own a percentage interest of the surviving partnership based on the relative fair market value of the operating partnership’s net assets and the other net assets of the surviving partnership immediately prior to the consummation of this transaction;

 

   

the rights, preferences and privileges of such unit holders in the surviving partnership are at least as favorable as those in effect immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the surviving partnership; and

 

   

the limited partners may exchange their interests in the surviving partnership for either the consideration available to the limited partners pursuant to paragraph (A) in this section, or the right to redeem their common units for cash on terms equivalent to those in effect with respect to their common units immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction, or, if the ultimate controlling person of the surviving partnership has publicly traded common equity securities, shares of those common equity securities, at an exchange ratio based on the relative fair market value of those securities and Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock.

Term

The operating partnership will continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2104, or until sooner dissolved in accordance with the operating partnership’s terms or as otherwise provided by law.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the partnership agreement indemnifies Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner, and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any other persons it may designate from and against any and all claims arising from operating partnership’s operations in which any indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, unless it is established that:

 

   

the act or omission of the indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and either was committed in bad faith, constituted fraud or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

   

the indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

   

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Similarly, Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the operating partnership’s general partner, and its officers, directors, agents or employees, are not liable or accountable to the operating partnership for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or any act or omission so long as Digital Realty Trust, Inc. acted in good faith.

 

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MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS OF DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and the company’s charter and bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The Company’s Board of Directors

The company’s bylaws provide that the number of directors of the company may be established by the company’s board of directors but may not be fewer than the minimum number permitted under the MGCL or more than 15. Except as may be provided by the company’s board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any vacancy may be filled only by a vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Each of the company’s directors is elected by the company’s common stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Holders of shares of the company’s common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of the common stock will be able to elect all of the company’s directors. Additionally, in the event that the company is in arrears on dividends on the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, as the case may be, voting as a single class with all other series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect two additional directors to the company’s board for a limited time.

Removal of Directors

The company’s charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause (as defined in the company’s charter) and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of the company’s board of directors to fill vacant directorships, precludes stockholders from (1) removing incumbent directors except upon the existence of cause for removal and a substantial affirmative vote and (2) filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees. In addition, any director elected to the company’s board by the holders of the company’s preferred stock may only be removed by a vote of preferred stockholders.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and any interested stockholder, or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. The company’s board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by it.

 

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After such five-year period, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the statute, the company’s board of directors has by resolution opted out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and any interested stockholder of the company. As a result, anyone who later becomes an interested stockholder may be able to enter into business combinations with the company that may not be in the best interest of the company’s stockholders without compliance by the company with the super-majority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute. The company cannot assure you that its board of directors will not opt to be subject to such business combination provisions in the future.

Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved at a special meeting by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of shares of stock of the corporation in the election of directors: (1) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (2) an officer of the corporation or (3) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (1) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (2) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (3) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the company’s board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the control shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders’ meeting.

If voting rights of control shares are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders’ meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

 

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The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

The company’s bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of the company’s stock. The company cannot provide you any assurance that its board of directors will not amend or eliminate this provision at any time in the future.

Subtitle 8

Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any of (1) a classified board of directors, (2) a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director, (3) a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors, (4) a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, or (5) a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Subtitle 8, the company has elected to provide that vacancies on its board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in the company’s charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, the company already requires a two-thirds vote for the removal of any director from the board of directors, vests in the board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and fill vacancies and require, unless called by the executive chairman of the company’s board of directors, or the company’s president, chief executive officer or board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast to call a special meeting.

Amendments to the Company’s Charter and Bylaws

The company’s charter generally may be amended only if such amendment is declared advisable by the company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. In the case of an amendment that would materially and adversely affect the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock, or series D preferred stock, the consent of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, as the case may be, voting as a single class with all other classes or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon the company’s liquidation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred is also required. However, the company’s charter’s provisions regarding removal of directors may be amended only if such amendment is declared advisable by the company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The company’s board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the company’s bylaws or to make new bylaws.

Transactions Outside the Ordinary Course of Business

The company may not merge with or into another company, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless the transaction is declared advisable by the company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. In the case of any such transaction that would materially and adversely affect the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, the company will also require the consent of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, as the case may be, voting as a single class with all other classes or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon the company’s liquidation and upon which like voting

 

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rights have been conferred, provided, however, that if, upon the occurrence of such a transaction, the series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, as the case may be, remains outstanding with materially unchanged terms, taking into account that the company may not be the surviving entity, then the transaction will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the company’s series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock. Furthermore, the company will not require the consent of the series B, series C or series D preferred stockholders if, pursuant to such a transaction, the series B, series C or series D preferred stockholders receive the greater of the full trading price of the series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock or series D preferred stock, as the case may be, on the date of the transaction or the liquidation preference.

Dissolution of the Company

The dissolution of the company must be declared advisable by a majority of the company’s entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

The company’s bylaws provide that:

 

   

with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the company’s board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only:

 

   

pursuant to the company’s notice of the meeting;

 

   

by or at the direction of the company’s board of directors; or

 

   

by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the company’s bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in the company’s bylaws.

 

   

with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in the company’s notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of individuals for election to the company’s board of directors may be made only:

 

   

pursuant to the company’s notice of the meeting;

 

   

by or at the direction of the company’s board of directors; or

 

   

provided that the company’s board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the company’s bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the company’s bylaws.

The advance notice procedures of the company’s bylaws provide that, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice with respect to director nominations or proposals for an annual meeting must be delivered to the company’s corporate secretary at the company’s principal executive office not earlier than 150 days nor later than 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the mailing of the notice for the company’s preceding year’s annual meeting. If the date of the mailing of the notice for the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Pacific time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

 

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Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company’s Charter and Bylaws

The provisions of the company’s charter on removal of directors and the advance notice provisions of the bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the company that might involve a premium price for holders of the company’s common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. Likewise, if the company’s board of directors were to opt in to the business combination provisions of the MGCL or the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL not already applicable to the company, or if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Ownership Limit

The company’s charter provides that no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of the company’s common stock any series of preferred stock or more than 9.8% of the value of the company’s outstanding capital stock. The company refers to these restrictions as the “ownership limits.” For a fuller description of this restriction and the constructive ownership rules, see “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability

The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The company’s charter contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the company’s charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

 

   

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and:

 

   

was committed in bad faith; or

 

   

was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

   

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

   

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:

 

   

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

 

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a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

The company’s charter authorizes the company to obligate it and the company’s bylaws obligate it, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

 

   

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or

 

   

any individual who, while a director or officer of the company and at the company’s request, serves or has served at another corporation, REIT, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

The company’s charter and bylaws also permit the company to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the company in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the company or a predecessor of the company.

The partnership agreement provides that the company, as general partner, and the company’s officers and directors are indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law. See “Description of the Partnership Agreement of Digital Realty Trust, L.P.—Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.” The company has also entered into indemnification agreements with each of its executive officers and directors that obligate the company to indemnify them to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a general summary of certain material United States federal income tax considerations regarding our company and the acquisition, ownership, sale or other disposition of certain of the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. For the purposes of this discussion, references to “we,” “our” and “us” mean only Digital Realty Trust, Inc., and do not include any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The information in this summary is based on:

 

   

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code;

 

   

current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code;

 

   

the legislative history of the Code;

 

   

current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS; and

 

   

court decisions;

in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations contained in this discussion. Any such change could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in this discussion will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if challenged by the IRS. This summary does not discuss any state, local or non-United States tax consequences associated with the acquisition, ownership, sale or other disposition of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities, or our election to be taxed as a REIT.

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of:

 

   

the acquisition, ownership and sale or other disposition of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities, including the federal, state, local, non-United States and other tax consequences;

 

   

our election to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; and

 

   

potential changes in applicable tax laws.

Taxation of Our Company

General. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner which has allowed us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and we intend to continue to be organized and operate in this manner. However, qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have been organized and have operated, or will continue to be organized and operate, in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

The sections of the Code and the corresponding Treasury Regulations that relate to qualification and taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following sets forth certain material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, relevant rules and regulations promulgated under the Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code and these rules and regulations.

 

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Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with this prospectus. Latham & Watkins LLP has rendered an opinion to us to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2004, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion was based on various assumptions and representations as to factual matters, including representations made by us in a factual certificate provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion was based upon our factual representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, which are discussed below, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy those requirements. Further, the anticipated federal income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to its date.

Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” that ordinarily results from investment in a C corporation. A C corporation is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate-level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will, however, be required to pay federal income tax as follows:

 

   

First, we will be required to pay tax at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

   

Second, we may be required to pay the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference under some circumstances.

 

   

Third, if we have (1) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (2) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on this income. To the extent that income from foreclosure property is otherwise qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, this tax is not applicable. Subject to certain other requirements, foreclosure property generally is defined as property we acquired through foreclosure or after a default on a loan secured by the property or a lease of the property.

 

   

Fourth, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income from prohibited transactions. Prohibited transactions are, in general, sales or other taxable dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.

 

   

Fifth, if we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as described below, but have otherwise maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be required to pay a tax equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and (B) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 95% gross income test, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

 

   

Sixth, if we fail to satisfy any of the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% or 10% asset test), as described below, due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets that caused us to fail such test.

 

   

Seventh, if we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the gross income tests or certain violations of the asset tests, as

 

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described below) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

 

   

Eighth, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for the year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for the year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods.

 

   

Ninth, if we acquire any asset from a corporation that is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the C corporation’s basis in the asset, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then we will be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain from making an election to receive different treatment under applicable Treasury Regulations on its tax return for the year in which we acquire the asset from the C corporation.

 

   

Tenth, entities we own that are C corporations, including our “taxable REIT subsidiaries,” generally will be required to pay federal corporate income tax on their earnings.

 

   

Eleventh, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any “redetermined rents,” “redetermined deductions” or “excess interest.” See “—Penalty Tax.” In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished to any of our tenants by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. Redetermined deductions and excess interest generally represent amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s length negotiations.

Other countries may impose taxes on our operations within their jurisdictions. To the extent possible, we will structure our activities to minimize our non-United States tax liability. However, there can be no complete assurance that we will be able to eliminate our non-United States tax liability or reduce it to a specified level. Furthermore, as a REIT, both we and our stockholders will derive little or no benefit from foreign tax credits arising from those taxes.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) that issues transferable shares or transferable certificates to evidence its beneficial ownership;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code;

 

  (4) that is not a financial institution or an insurance company within the meaning of certain provisions of the Code;

 

  (5) that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, including certain specified entities, during the last half of each taxable year; and

 

  (7) that meets other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), the term “individual” includes a

 

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supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but generally does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares of capital stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (1) through (7) inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of our shares which are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. A description of the transfer restrictions relating to our outstanding common and preferred stock is contained in or incorporated by reference in the relevant prospectuses pursuant to which we have offered such securities from time to time. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to have a calendar taxable year.

Ownership of Interests in Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership or a member in a limited liability company treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of the income of that entity. The assets and gross income of the partnership or limited liability company retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our pro rata share of the assets and items of income of our operating partnership, including our operating partnership’s share of these items of any partnership or limited liability company treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes in which it owns an interest, is treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this discussion, including the gross income and asset tests described below. A brief summary of the rules governing the federal income taxation of partnerships and limited liability companies is set forth below in “—Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies.”

We have control of our operating partnership and most of the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies and intend to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. We may from time to time be a limited partner or non-managing member in some of our partnerships and limited liability companies. If a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.

We may from time to time own and operate certain properties through wholly-owned subsidiaries that we intend to be treated as “qualified REIT subsidiaries” under the Code. A corporation will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of the corporation’s outstanding stock and do not elect with the subsidiary to

 

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treat it as a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” as described below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code, including all REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the federal tax requirements described in this discussion, any qualified REIT subsidiaries we own are ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such corporations are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not subject to federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary does not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described below under “—Asset Tests.”

Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. We own an interest in a number of taxable REIT subsidiaries and may acquire securities in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. If a taxable REIT subsidiary owns more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of another corporation, such other corporation will also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a taxable REIT subsidiary may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to federal income tax as a regular C corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary may be prevented from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiary’s debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. A REIT’s ownership of securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary is not subject to the 5% or 10% asset test described below, and their operations will be subject to the provisions described above. See “—Asset Tests.”

Income TestsWe must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, in each taxable year we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, and certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008) from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property” and, in certain circumstances, interest, or certain types of temporary investments. Second, in each taxable year we must derive at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions entered into on or after January 1, 2005 and certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008) from the real property investments described above or dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:

 

   

The amount of rent must not be based in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

 

   

Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a non-corporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space.

 

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Whether rents paid by a taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the taxable REIT subsidiary is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such taxable REIT subsidiary, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is a taxable REIT subsidiary in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such taxable REIT subsidiary;

 

   

Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and

 

   

We generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as provided below. We may, however, perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. Examples of these services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we may employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue to provide customary services, or a taxable REIT subsidiary, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.” Any amounts we receive from a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect to the taxable REIT subsidiary’s provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% gross income test.

We generally do not intend, and as a general partner of our operating partnership, do not intend to permit our operating partnership, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to satisfy the rental conditions described above. However, we may intentionally fail to satisfy some of these conditions to the extent the failure will not, based on the advice of our tax counsel, jeopardize our tax status as a REIT. In addition, with respect to the limitation on the rental of personal property, we have not obtained appraisals of the real property and personal property leased to tenants. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with our determinations of the value of such property.

Income we receive that is attributable to the rental of parking spaces at the properties will generally constitute rents from real property for purposes of the gross income tests if certain services provided with respect to the parking spaces are performed by independent contractors from whom we derive no revenue, either directly or indirectly, or by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and certain other conditions are met. We believe that the income we receive that is attributable to parking spaces meets these tests and, accordingly, will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the gross income tests.

From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, that is clearly identified as a hedging transaction as specified in the Code will not constitute gross income and thus will be exempt from the 95% gross income test to the extent such a hedging transaction is entered into on or after January 1, 2005, and will not constitute gross income and thus will be exempt from the 75% gross income test to the extent such hedging transaction is entered into after July 30, 2008. Income and gain from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, entered into on or prior to July 30, 2008 will be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Income and gain from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, entered into prior to January 1, 2005 will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income

 

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test. The term “hedging transaction,” as used above, generally means any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of (1) interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made by us to acquire or carry real estate assets, or (2) for hedging transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, currency fluctuations with respect to an item of qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

We have investments in several entities located outside the United States and in the future we may invest in additional entities or properties located outside the United States. In addition, from time to time we may acquire additional properties outside of the United States, through a taxable REIT subsidiary or otherwise. These acquisitions could cause us to incur foreign currency gains or losses. Prior to July 30, 2008, the characterization of any such foreign currency gains for purposes of the gross income tests was unclear, though the IRS had indicated that REITs could apply the principles of proposed Treasury Regulations to determine whether such foreign currency gain constituted qualifying income under the income tests. As a result, we anticipate that any foreign currency gains we recognized on or prior to July 30, 2008 with respect to rents from any property located outside the United States were qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Any foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008 to the extent attributable to specified assets or items of qualifying income or gain for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test, however, generally will not constitute gross income for purposes of the applicable test, and therefore will be exempt from such test, provided we do not deal in or engage in substantial and regular trading in securities, which we do not intend to do.

To the extent our taxable REIT subsidiaries pay dividends, we generally will derive our allocable share of such dividend income through our interest in our operating partnership. Such dividend income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test. In addition, from time to time we may own interests in entities that are “controlled foreign corporations” for United States federal income tax purposes under applicable tax rules. We will be deemed to receive our allocable share of certain income earned by such entities through our interest in our operating partnership, whether or not such income actually is distributed to our operating partnership. This income will not qualify for the 75% gross income test, and it is unclear whether it will qualify for the 95% gross income test.

We will monitor the amount of the dividend and other income from our taxable REIT subsidiaries and will take actions intended to keep this income, and any other nonqualifying income, within the limitations of the gross income tests. While we expect these actions will prevent a violation of the gross income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions will in all cases prevent such a violation.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, we generally may make use of the relief provisions if:

 

   

following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be issued; and

 

   

our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular

 

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set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in “—Taxation of Our Company— General,” even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite periodic monitoring of our income.

Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that we realize (including any net foreign currency gain recognized after July 30, 2008) on the sale of property held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax, unless certain safe harbor exceptions apply. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the gross income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. Our operating partnership intends to hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning its properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our operating partnership’s investment objectives. We do not intend to enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. However, the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales made by our operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies are prohibited transactions. We would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales.

Penalty Tax. Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s length negotiations. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

From time to time, our taxable REIT subsidiaries may provide services to our tenants. We intend to set the fees paid to our taxable REIT subsidiaries for such services at arm’s length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this test, the term “real estate assets” generally means real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) and shares (or transferable certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, as well as any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of the proceeds of a stock offering or a public offering of debt with a term of at least five years, but only for the one-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such proceeds.

Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities (including securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries), other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test.

Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, and except for investments in other REITs, our qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer except, in the case of the 10% value test, securities satisfying the

 

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“straight debt” safe-harbor or securities issued by a partnership that itself would satisfy the 75% income test if it were a REIT. Certain types of securities we may own are disregarded as securities solely for purposes of the 10% value test, including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

Fourth, not more than 25% (20% for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2008) of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Our operating partnership owns 100% of the stock of certain corporations that have elected, together with us, to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiaries. So long as each of these companies qualifies as a taxable REIT subsidiary, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting securities limitation or the 10% value limitation with respect to our ownership of their stock. We may acquire securities in other taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. We believe that the aggregate value of our taxable REIT subsidiaries has not exceeded 20% of the aggregate value of our gross assets in any taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2008, and we believe that in the future it will not exceed 25% of the aggregate value of our gross assets. No independent appraisals have been obtained to support these conclusions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our determinations of value.

The asset tests must be satisfied at the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or through our operating partnership) acquire securities in the applicable issuer, and also at the close of each calendar quarter in which we increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of increasing our interest in our operating partnership). For example, our indirect ownership of securities of each issuer will increase as a result of our capital contributions to our operating partnership or as limited partners exercise their redemption/exchange rights. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values (including, for our taxable year beginning on January 1, 2009 and all taxable years thereafter, a change caused by changes in the foreign currency exchange rate used to value foreign assets). If we fail to satisfy an asset test because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter (including as a result of an increase in our interest in our operating partnership), we may cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained and intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within the 30 day cure period, we would cease to qualify as a REIT unless we are eligible for certain relief provisions discussed below.

Certain relief provisions may be available to us if we discover a failure to satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30 day cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have met the 5% and 10% asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying assets (i) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, and (ii) we dispose of the nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued. For violations of any of the asset tests due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and that are, in the case of the 5% and 10% asset tests, in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT after the 30 day cure period by taking steps including (i) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset test within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (ii) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets, and (iii) disclosing certain information to the IRS.

 

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Although we believe we have satisfied the asset tests described above and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance we will always be successful, or will not require a reduction in our operating partnership’s overall interest in an issuer (including in a taxable REIT subsidiary). If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in a timely manner, and the relief provisions described above are not available, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.

Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:

 

   

90% of our “REIT taxable income”; and

 

   

90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property; minus

 

   

the excess of the sum of certain items of non-cash income over 5% of our “REIT taxable income.”

For these purposes, our “REIT taxable income” is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, or a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable.

In addition, if we dispose of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C corporation, within the ten-year period following our acquisition of such asset, we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the after-tax gain, if any, we recognized on the disposition of the asset, to the extent that gain does not exceed the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case, on the date we acquired the asset.

We generally must pay, or be treated as paying, the distributions described above in the taxable year to which they relate. At our election, a distribution will be treated as paid in a taxable year if it is declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such year. These distributions are treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. In order to be taken into account for purposes of our distribution requirement, the amount distributed must not be preferential—i.e., every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates. We believe we have made, and intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes us, as general partner of our operating partnership, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause our operating partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligation.

We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

 

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Pursuant to certain IRS guidance, certain part-stock and part-cash dividends distributed by publicly-traded REITs with respect to calendar years 2008 though 2011, and in some cases declared as late as December 31, 2012, will be treated as distributions for purposes of the REIT distribution requirements. Under the terms of this guidance, up to 90% of our distributions could be paid in shares of our stock. If we make such a distribution, taxable stockholders would be required to include the full amount of the dividend (i.e., the cash and the stock portion) as ordinary income (subject to limited exceptions), to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes, as described under the headings “—Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock and the Operating Partnership’s Debt Securities—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of our Capital Stock—Distributions Generally” and “—Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock and the Operating Partnership’s Debt Securities—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of our Capital Stock—Distributions Generally.” As a result, our stockholders could recognize taxable income in excess of the cash received and may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash received. If a taxable stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of the stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. holders of our capital stock, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock.

Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described below. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends.

Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for such year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, dividends declared during the last three months of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, will be treated as paid by us and received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.

Like-Kind Exchanges. We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could subject us to federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Failure To Qualify

Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, specified cure provisions are available to us in the event that we discover a violation of a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT. Except with respect to violations of the gross income tests and asset tests (for which the cure provisions are described above), and provided the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, these cure provisions generally impose a $50,000 penalty for each violation in lieu of a loss of REIT status. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be required to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, and we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a result, we anticipate that our failure to

 

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qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. In this event, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. In addition, non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, may be eligible for the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be ineligible to elect to be treated as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies

General. All of our investments are held indirectly through our operating partnership. In addition, our operating partnership holds certain of its investments indirectly through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies which we expect will be treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes are “pass-through” entities which are not required to pay federal income tax. Rather, partners or members of such entities are allocated their shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership or limited liability company, and are potentially required to pay tax on this income, without regard to whether they receive a distribution from the partnership or limited liability company. We will include in our income our share of these partnership and limited liability company items for purposes of the various gross income tests, the computation of our REIT taxable income, and the REIT distribution requirements. Moreover, for purposes of the asset tests, we will include our pro rata share of assets held by our operating partnership, including its share of its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, based on our capital interests in each such entity. See “—Taxation of Our Company.”

Entity Classification. Our interests in our operating partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations, including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the status of these entities as partnerships (or disregarded entities), as opposed to associations taxable as corporations for federal income tax purposes. If our operating partnership or a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company were treated as an association, it would be taxable as a corporation and would be required to pay an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income tests. See “—Taxation of Our Company—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.” This, in turn, could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify” for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests. In addition, a change in the tax status of our operating partnership, a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash distributions. We believe our operating partnership and each of our other partnerships and limited liability companies will be classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes.

Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. The operating partnership agreement generally provides that items of operating income will be allocated to us to the extent of the accrued preferred return on our preferred units and then to the holders of common units in proportion to the number of common units held by each such unitholder. Items of operating loss will generally be allocated first to the holders of common units in proportion to the number of common units held, and then to us with respect to our preferred units. Certain limited partners have agreed to guarantee debt of our operating partnership, indirectly through an agreement to make capital contributions to our operating partnership under limited circumstances. As a result of these guaranties or contribution agreements, and notwithstanding the foregoing discussion of allocations of income and loss of our operating partnership to holders of units, such limited partners could under limited circumstances be allocated a disproportionate amount of net loss upon a liquidation of our operating partnership, which net loss would have otherwise been allocable to us. In addition, the partnership agreement further provides that holders of long-term incentive units and class C units may be entitled to receive special allocations of gain in the event of a sale or

 

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hypothetical sale of assets of our operating partnership prior to the allocation of gain to holders of common units. This special allocation of gain is intended to enable the holders of long-term incentive units and class C units to convert such units into common units.

If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Our operating partnership’s allocations of taxable income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties. Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain or benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution, as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.

Appreciated property was contributed to our operating partnership in exchange for interests in our operating partnership in connection with the formation transactions. The partnership agreement requires that these allocations be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of accounting for book-tax differences. We and our operating partnership have agreed to use the “traditional method” for accounting for book-tax differences for the properties initially contributed to our operating partnership. Under the traditional method, which is the least favorable method from our perspective, the carryover basis of contributed interests in the properties in the hands of our operating partnership (i) will or could cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if all contributed properties were to have a tax basis equal to their fair market value at the time of the contribution and (ii) could cause us to be allocated taxable gain in the event of a sale of such contributed interests or properties in excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the other partners in our operating partnership. An allocation described in (ii) above might cause us or the other partners to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event of a sale or other disposition of property, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of Our Company— Requirements for Qualification as a REIT” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

Any property acquired by our operating partnership in a taxable transaction will initially have a tax basis equal to its fair market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code will not apply.

 

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Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock and the Operating Partnership’s Debt Securities

The following summary describes the principal United States federal income tax consequences to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of our capital stock and the operating partnership’s debt securities. This summary assumes you hold shares of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities as a “capital asset” (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code). It does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences relevant to persons who receive special treatment under the federal income tax law, except where specifically noted. Holders receiving special treatment include, without limitation:

 

   

financial institutions, banks and thrifts;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations;

 

   

“S” corporations;

 

   

traders in securities that elect to mark to market;

 

   

partnerships, pass-through entities and persons holding our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities through a partnership or other pass-through entity;

 

   

holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

   

regulated investment companies and REITs;

 

   

non-United States corporations or partnerships, and persons who are not residents or citizens of the United States;

 

   

broker-dealers or dealers in securities or currencies;

 

   

United States expatriates;

 

   

persons holding our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion, integrated or other risk reduction or constructive sale transaction; or

 

   

United States persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar.

If you are considering purchasing our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities, you should consult your tax advisors concerning the application of United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities arising under the laws of any state, local or non-United States taxing jurisdiction.

When we use the term “U.S. holder,” we mean a holder of shares of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, including an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or in the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the control of one or more United States persons or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

If you hold shares of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities and are not a U.S. holder, a partnership or an entity classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes, you are a “non-U.S. holder.”

If a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds shares of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and on the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding shares of our capital stock or the operating partnership’s debt securities are encouraged to consult their tax advisors.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of our Capital Stock

Distributions Generally. Distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as dividends and, other than with respect to capital gain dividends and certain amounts which have previously been subject to corporate level tax discussed below, will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. See “—Tax Rates” below. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. holders that are corporations or, except to the extent provided in “—Tax Rates” below, the preferential rates on qualified dividend income applicable to individuals. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of our stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our outstanding preferred stock and then to our outstanding common stock.

To the extent that we make distributions on our capital stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such stock, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to a U.S. holder. This treatment will reduce the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares of stock by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gain. Such gain will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and which are payable to a holder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the holder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year. U.S. holders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

Certain stock dividends, including dividends partially paid in our capital stock and partially paid in cash that comply with certain IRS guidance, will be taxable to the recipient U.S. holders to the same extent as if paid in cash. See “Taxation of Our Company—Annual Distribution Requirement.”

Capital Gain Dividends. Dividends that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as a gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. If we properly designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend then, except as otherwise required by law, we presently intend to allocate a portion of the total capital gain dividends paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year to the holders of each class of our capital stock in proportion to the amount that our total dividends, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to the holders of each such class of our capital stock for the year bears to the total dividends, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year.

 

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Retention of Net Capital Gains. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, a U.S. holder generally would:

 

   

include its pro rata share of our undistributed net capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable;

 

   

be deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. holder’s long-term capital gains;

 

   

receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it;

 

   

increase the adjusted basis of its stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and

 

   

in the case of a U.S. holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated by the IRS.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. holder of our capital stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of our capital stock and income designated as qualified dividend income, described in “—Tax Rates” below, as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the holder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by the Company, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

Dispositions of Our Capital Stock. If a U.S. holder sells or disposes of shares of capital stock, except as set forth below under “Redemption or Repurchase by Us”, it will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holder’s adjusted basis in the shares of capital stock for tax purposes. This gain or loss, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held such capital stock for more than one year. However, if a U.S. holder recognizes loss upon the sale or other disposition of capital stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent the U.S. holder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.

Redemption or Repurchase by Us. A redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits at ordinary income rates unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. The redemption or repurchase will be treated as a sale or exchange if it:

 

   

is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. holder;

 

   

results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. holder’s stock interest in us; or

 

   

is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. holder,

all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.

In determining whether any of these tests have been met, shares of capital stock, including common stock and other equity interests in us, considered to be owned by the U.S. holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of

 

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Section 302(b) of the Code will be satisfied with respect to the U.S. holder depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, U.S. holders are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.

If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. See “—Distributions Generally.” A U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares of the stock for tax purposes will be transferred to its remaining shares of our capital stock, if any. If a U.S. holder owns no other shares of our capital stock, such basis may, under certain circumstances, be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely.

If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described under “—Dispositions of Our Capital Stock.”

Backup Withholding. We report to our U.S. holders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the U.S. holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any holders who fail to certify their non-foreign status. See “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of our Capital Stock.”

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of our Capital Stock

Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of our shares of capital stock generally will not be unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt holder, except as described below. This income or gain will be unrelated business taxable income, however, if a tax-exempt holder holds its shares as “debt-financed property” within the meaning of the Code or if the shares are used in a trade or business of the tax-exempt holder. Generally, “debt-financed property” is property the acquisition or holding of which was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt holder.

For tax-exempt holders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a “pension-held REIT” may be treated as unrelated business taxable income as to certain trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a “pension-held REIT” if it is able to satisfy the “not closely held” requirement without relying on the “look-through” exception with respect to certain trusts or if such REIT is not “predominantly held” by “qualified trusts.” As a result of limitations on the transfer and ownership of stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and as a result, the tax treatment described in this paragraph should be inapplicable to our holders. However, because our stock is publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.

 

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Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of our Capital Stock

The following discussion addresses the rules governing United States federal income taxation of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock by non-U.S. holders. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation and does not address state, local or non-United States tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of its particular circumstances. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state, local and non-United States income tax laws on the purchase, ownership, and disposition of shares of our capital stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions Generally. Distributions (including any taxable stock dividends) that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests nor designated by us as capital gain dividends (except as described below) will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a United States trade or business (through a United States permanent establishment, where applicable). Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exemption. Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with such a trade or business will be subject to tax on a net basis at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. holders are subject to tax, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (applicable after deducting federal income taxes paid on such effectively connected income) or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Except as otherwise provided below, we expect to withhold United States income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. holder unless:

 

  (1) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. holder files with us an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate; or

 

  (2) the non-U.S. holder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s trade or business.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a non-U.S. holder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the holder’s capital stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in such capital stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below. For withholding purposes, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of United States Real Property Interests. Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a United States real property interest, generally should not be subject to United States federal income taxation, unless:

 

  (1) the investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (through a United States permanent establishment, where applicable), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a non-United States corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above; or

 

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  (2) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gains (reduced by certain capital losses).

Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which is referred to as “FIRPTA,” distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a United States trade or business. non-U.S. holders would generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax. We also will be required to withhold and to remit to the IRS 35% (or 15% to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations) of any distribution to non-U.S. holders that is designated as a capital gain dividend or, if greater, 35% of any distribution to non-U.S. holders that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability. However, any distribution with respect to any class of stock which is “regularly traded” on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 35% U.S. withholding tax described above, if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Instead, such distributions generally will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and subject to withholding in the manner described above with respect to ordinary dividends.

Retention of Net Capital Gains. Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained net capital gains in respect of the stock held by U.S. holders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. holders in the same manner as actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under that approach, the non-U.S. holders would be able to offset as a credit against their United States federal income tax liability resulting from their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained net capital gains and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds their actual United States federal income tax liability.

Sale of Our Capital StockGain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock generally will not be subject to United States taxation unless such stock constitutes a “United States real property interest”, or USRPI, within the meaning of FIRPTA. Our capital stock will not constitute a USRPI so long as we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” includes a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. We believe, but cannot guarantee, that we have been a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” In addition, because most of our capital stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if either (a) the investment in our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business or (b) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our capital stock (subject to the 5% exception applicable to “regularly traded” stock described above), a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of a United States real property interest if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our capital stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a United States real property interest and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other shares of that stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (1).

 

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Even if we do not qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” at the time a non-U.S. holder sells our capital stock, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of such capital stock would not be subject to United States taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI if:

 

  (1) such class of capital stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE; and

 

  (2) such non-U.S. holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of such class of capital stock throughout the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange.

If gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular United States federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). In addition, if the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, and if shares of the applicable class of our capital stock were not “regularly traded” on an established securities market, the purchaser of such capital stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase price.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax. Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder, such holder’s name and address, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report is sent to the non-U.S. holder. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence.

Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of stock made to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless such holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we have or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a non-U.S. holder is a United States person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the United States income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of Holders of the Operating Partnership’s Debt Securities

The following summary describes certain material United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of debt securities issued by the operating partnership. This discussion assumes the debt securities will be issued with no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion is limited to persons purchasing the debt securities for cash at original issue and at their original “issue price” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the debt securities are sold to the public for cash).

U.S. Holders

Interest. A U.S. holder generally will be required to recognize and include in gross income any stated interest as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued on the debt securities in accordance with such holder’s method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

Payments in Excess of Stated Interest and Principal. In certain circumstances, the operating partnership may be obligated to make payments in excess of stated interest and the principal amount of the debt securities. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement pursuant to which any such debt securities are issued, the operating partnership intends to take the position that the debt securities should not be treated as contingent

 

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payment debt instruments because of these additional payments. This position is based in part on assumptions regarding the likelihood, as of the date of issuance of the debt securities, that such additional amounts will have to be paid. Assuming such position is respected, any amounts paid to a U.S. holder pursuant to any such redemption or repurchase, as applicable, would be taxable as described below in “—U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Debt Securities.” This position is binding on a U.S. holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations. The IRS, however, may take a position contrary to the operating partnership’s position, which could affect the timing and character of a U.S. holder’s income and the timing of deductions with respect to the debt securities. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application to the debt securities of the contingent payment debt instrument rules and the consequences thereof. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the debt securities are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Debt Securities. A U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption (including a partial redemption), retirement or other taxable disposition of a debt security equal to the difference between the sum of the cash and the fair market value of any property received in exchange therefor (less a portion allocable to any accrued and unpaid stated interest, which generally will be taxable as ordinary income if not previously included in such holder’s income) and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debt security. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a debt security (or a portion thereof) generally will be the U.S. holder’s cost therefor decreased by any payment on the debt security other than a payment of qualified stated interest. This gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the debt securities for more than one year at the time of such disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such holder receives interest and principal payments on the debt securities or proceeds upon the sale or other disposition of such debt securities (including a redemption or retirement of the debt securities). Certain holders (including, among others, certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such holder is not otherwise exempt and:

 

   

such holder fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number, or “TIN,” which, for an individual is ordinarily his or her social security number;

 

   

the IRS notifies the payor that such holder furnished an incorrect TIN;

 

   

in the case of interest payments, such holder is notified by the IRS of a failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or

 

   

in the case of interest payments, such holder fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such holder has furnished a correct TIN and that the IRS has not notified such holder that it is subject to backup withholding.

A U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor regarding its qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability or may be refunded, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.

 

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Non-U.S. Holders

Interest. Interest paid to a non-U.S. holder on its debt securities that is not effectively connected with such holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided that:

 

   

such holder does not actually or constructively own a 10% or greater interest in the operating partnership’s capital or profits;

 

   

such holder is not a controlled foreign corporation with respect to which the operating partnership is a “related person” within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code;

 

   

such holder is not a bank that received such interest on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business; and

 

   

(a) the non-U.S. holder certifies in a statement provided to the operating partnership or its paying agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person within the meaning of the Code and provides its name and address, (b) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the debt securities on behalf of the non-U.S. holder certifies to the operating partnership or its paying agent under penalties of perjury that it, or the financial institution between it and the non-U.S. holder, has received from the non-U.S. holder a statement, under penalties of perjury, that such holder is not a United States person and provides the operating partnership or its paying agent with a copy of such statement or (c) the non-U.S. holder holds its debt securities directly through a “qualified intermediary” and certain conditions are satisfied.

A non-U.S. holder generally will also be exempt from withholding tax on interest if such amount is effectively connected with such holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business and the holder provides the operating partnership with appropriate certification (as discussed below under “—Non-U.S. Holders—United States Trade or Business”).

If a non-U.S. holder does not satisfy the requirements above, interest paid to such non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax. Such rate may be reduced or eliminated under a tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. To claim a reduction or exemption under a tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder must generally complete an IRS Form W-8BEN (or applicable successor form) and claim the reduction or exemption on the form.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Debt Securities. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a debt security so long as (i) the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a United States trade or business (or, if a tax treaty applies, the gain is not attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder) and (ii) in the case of a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, such non-U.S. holder is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition or certain other requirements are not met. A non-U.S. holder who is an individual and does not meet this exemption should consult his or her tax advisor regarding the potential liability for United States federal income tax on such holder’s gain realized on a debt security.

In certain circumstances, the operating partnership may be required to make certain payments in excess of stated interest and the principal amount of the debt securities. Except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, such payments generally should be treated as additional amounts paid for the debt securities, subject to the rules described above.

United States Trade or Business. If interest paid on a debt security or gain from a disposition of a debt security is effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if an

 

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income tax treaty applies, the non-U.S. holder maintains a United States permanent establishment to which such amounts are generally attributable), the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on the interest or gain on a net basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to United States federal income tax on the interest on a net basis, the 30% withholding tax described above will not apply (assuming an appropriate certification is provided, generally on IRS Form W-8ECI). A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty. For this purpose, interest on a debt security or gain from a disposition of a debt security will be included in earnings and profits if the interest or gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the corporation of a United States trade or business.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting with respect to payments that the operating partnership makes to the non-U.S. holder, provided that the operating partnership does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a “United States person,” within the meaning of the Code, and the holder has given the operating partnership the statement described above under “Non-U.S. Holders—Interest.” In addition, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting with respect to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the operating partnership’s debt securities (including a retirement or redemption of such debt securities) within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers, if the payor receives the statement described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. However, the operating partnership may be required to report annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder the amount of, and the tax withheld with respect to, any interest paid to the non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.

A non-U.S. holder generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability or may claim a refund provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

Tax Rates

The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for (1) capital gains, including certain “capital gain dividends,” has generally been reduced to 15% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate) and (2) “qualified dividend income” has generally been reduced to 15%. In general, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and the REIT’s dividends are attributable to dividends received from taxable corporations (such as its taxable REIT subsidiaries), to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if it distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year), or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends.” The currently applicable provisions of the United States federal income tax laws relating to the 15% tax rate are currently scheduled to “sunset” or revert to the provisions of prior law effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010, at which time the generally applicable capital gains tax rate will be increased to 20%, and the rate applicable to dividends will be increased to the tax rate then applicable to ordinary income. In addition, U.S. holders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

In addition, certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends, interest on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or debt obligations for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this additional tax on their ownership and disposition of our capital stock or debt securities.

 

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Withholding Taxes on Certain Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other non-United States entities. Under these rules, the failure to comply with additional certification, information reporting and other specified requirements could result in withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends, interest and sales proceeds to U.S. holders who own our capital stock or debt securities through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. holders. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends and interest on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, capital stock or debt securities paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign non-financial entity, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign non-financial entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner. If the payee is a foreign financial institution, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to certain other account holders. These rules apply to payments made after December 31, 2012, but do not apply to debt instruments outstanding on March 18, 2012. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding these rules.

Other Tax Consequences

State, local and non-United States income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or non-United States jurisdiction. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisor regarding the effect of state, local and non-United States tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT and on an investment in our capital stock or our operating partnership’s debt securities.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

If the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is used by selling securityholders for the resale of any securities registered thereunder pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be entered into by us with such selling securityholders or otherwise, information about such selling securityholders, their beneficial ownership of the securities and their relationship with us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference to such registration statement.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We, or selling securityholders, may sell the securities domestically or abroad to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors directly or through dealers or agents, or through a combination of methods. Any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at: (i) a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, (ii) market prices prevailing at the time of sale, (iii) prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or (iv) negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us and our operating partnership, to indemnification against and contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will describe any indemnification agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any series of securities issued hereunder will be a new issue with no established trading market (other than the common stock, which is listed on the NYSE). If the company sell any shares of the common stock pursuant to a prospectus supplement, such shares will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any other securities issued hereunder on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold by us or our operating partnership for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the

 

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purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

To facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover the over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our operating partnership in the ordinary course of business.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, has issued an opinion to us regarding certain matters of Maryland law, including the validity of the securities covered by this prospectus. Latham & Watkins LLP, San Francisco, California has issued an opinion to us regarding certain matters with respect to the validity of the debt securities and guarantees covered by this prospectus. Latham & Watkins LLP, Los Angeles, California, has issued an opinion to us regarding certain tax matters described under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule III of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule III of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The combined statement of revenue and certain expenses of the New England Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2009 has been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. KPMG LLP’s report refers to the fact that the combined statement of revenue and certain expenses was prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is not intended to be a complete presentation of revenue and expenses.

The combined statement of revenue and certain expenses of the Rockwood Predecessor Data Centers for the year ended December 31, 2009 incorporated by reference in this prospectus has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon. Such combined statement of revenue and certain expenses of the Rockwood Predecessor Data Centers is incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this registration statement on Form S-3:

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  4.1    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as amended (including Articles Supplementary for 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Articles Supplementary for 4.375% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and Articles Supplementary for 5.500% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2010)
  4.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2009)
  4.3    Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-117865) declared effective by the commission on November 3, 2004)
  4.4*    Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Stock
  4.5*    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate
  4.6*    Form of Deposit Agreement
  4.7*    Form of Depositary Receipt
  4.8*    Form of Warrant Agreement
  4.9*    Form of Warrant Agreement
  4.10    Form of Indenture
  4.11*    Form of Debt Securities (including form of Notation of Guarantee)
  4.12    Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2009)
  5.1    Opinion of Venable LLP
  5.2    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
  8.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax matters
12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratios
23.1    Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
23.3    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.4    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.5    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors
23.6    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page)
25.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (Form T-1)

 

* To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrants certify that they have reasonable grounds to believe that they meet all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and have duly caused this amended registration statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of California, on November 15, 2010.

 

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:   /S/    MICHAEL F. FOUST        
 

Michael F. Foust

Chief Executive Officer

 

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P.
BY:  

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, Inc.

Its general partner

By:   /S/    MICHAEL F. FOUST        
 

Michael F. Foust

Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael F. Foust, A. William Stein and Joshua A. Mills, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this amended registration statement and any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits and schedules thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amended registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    RICHARD A. MAGNUSON        

Richard A. Magnuson

  

Chairman of the Board

  November 15, 2010

/S/    MICHAEL F. FOUST        

Michael F. Foust

  

Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive
Officer)

  November 15, 2010

/S/    A. WILLIAM STEIN        

A. William Stein

  

Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Investment Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)

  November 15, 2010

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    EDWARD F. SHAM        

Edward F. Sham

  

Sr. Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

  November 15, 2010

/S/    LAURENCE A. CHAPMAN        

Laurence A. Chapman

  

Director

  November 15, 2010

/S/    RUANN F. ERNST, PH.D.        

Ruann F. Ernst, Ph.D.

  

Director

  November 15, 2010

     

Kathleen Earley

  

Director

  November 15, 2010

/S/    DENNIS E. SINGLETON        

Dennis E. Singleton

  

Director

  November 15, 2010

/S/    ROBERT H. ZERBST        

Robert H. Zerbst

  

Director

  November 15, 2010

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  4.1    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as amended (including Articles Supplementary for 7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Articles Supplementary for 4.375% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and Articles Supplementary for 5.500% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2010)
  4.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2009)
  4.3    Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-117865) declared effective by the commission on November 3, 2004)
  4.4*    Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Stock
  4.5*    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate
  4.6*    Form of Deposit Agreement
  4.7*    Form of Depositary Receipt
  4.8*    Form of Warrant Agreement
  4.9*    Form of Warrant Agreement
  4.10    Form of Indenture
  4.11*    Form of Debt Securities (including form of Notation of Guarantee)
  4.12    Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2009)
  5.1    Opinion of Venable LLP
  5.2    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
  8.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax matters
12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratios
23.1    Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
23.3    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.4    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.5    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors
23.6    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page)
25.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (Form T-1)

 

* To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.
EX-4.10 2 dex410.htm FORM OF INDENTURE Form of Indenture

 

Exhibit 4.10

 

 

 

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P.

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC., as the Guarantor

INDENTURE

Dated as of                  , 20    

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as the Trustee

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             PAGE  
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE      1   
  Section 1.1   Definitions      1   
  Section 1.2   Other Definitions      5   
  Section 1.3   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      5   
  Section 1.4   Rules of Construction      6   
ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES      6   
  Section 2.1   Issuable in Series      6   
  Section 2.2   Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities      6   
  Section 2.3   Execution and Authentication      9   
  Section 2.4   Registrar and Paying Agent      10   
  Section 2.5   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      10   
  Section 2.6   Securityholder Lists      11   
  Section 2.7   Transfer and Exchange      11   
  Section 2.8   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      11   
  Section 2.9   Outstanding Securities      12   
  Section 2.10   Treasury Securities      13   
  Section 2.11   Temporary Securities      13   
  Section 2.12   Cancellation      13   
  Section 2.13   Defaulted Interest      13   
  Section 2.14   Global Securities      13   
  Section 2.15   CUSIP Numbers      15   
ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION      15   
  Section 3.1   Notice to Trustee      15   
  Section 3.2   Selection of Securities to be Redeemed      15   
  Section 3.3   Notice of Redemption      15   
  Section 3.4   Effect of Notice of Redemption      16   
  Section 3.5   Deposit of Redemption Price      16   
  Section 3.6   Securities Redeemed in Part      16   
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS      16   
  Section 4.1   Payment of Principal and Interest      16   
  Section 4.2   SEC Reports      17   
  Section 4.3   Compliance Certificate      17   
  Section 4.4   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      17   
  Section 4.5   Corporate Existence      18   
ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS      18   
  Section 5.1   Company May Consolidate on Certain Terms      18   
  Section 5.2   Company Successor to be Substituted      18   
  Section 5.3   Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms      19   
  Section 5.4   Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted      19   

 

i


 

ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES      20   
  Section 6.1   Events of Default      20   
  Section 6.2   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      21   
  Section 6.3   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee      22   
  Section 6.4   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      23   
  Section 6.5   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities      24   
  Section 6.6   Application of Money Collected      24   
  Section 6.7   Limitation on Suits      24   
  Section 6.8   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest      25   
  Section 6.9   Restoration of Rights and Remedies      25   
  Section 6.10   Rights and Remedies Cumulative      25   
  Section 6.11   Delay or Omission Not Waiver      25   
  Section 6.12   Control by Holders      26   
  Section 6.13   Waiver of Past Defaults      26   
  Section 6.14   Undertaking for Costs      26   
ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE      27   
  Section 7.1   Duties of Trustee      27   
  Section 7.2   Rights of Trustee      28   
  Section 7.3   Individual Rights of Trustee      29   
  Section 7.4   Trustee’s Disclaimer      29   
  Section 7.5   Notice of Defaults      29   
  Section 7.6   Reports by Trustee to Holders      29   
  Section 7.7   Compensation and Indemnity      30   
  Section 7.8   Replacement of Trustee      30   
  Section 7.9   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      31   
  Section 7.10   Eligibility; Disqualification      31   
  Section 7.11   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      32   
ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE      32   
  Section 8.1   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      32   
  Section 8.2   Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification      33   
  Section 8.3   Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series      33   
  Section 8.4   Covenant Defeasance      35   
  Section 8.5   Repayment to Company      36   
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS      36   
  Section 9.1   Without Consent of Holders      36   
  Section 9.2   With Consent of Holders      37   
  Section 9.3   Limitations      37   
  Section 9.4   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      38   
  Section 9.5   Revocation and Effect of Consents      38   
  Section 9.6   Notation on or Exchange of Securities      38   
  Section 9.7   Trustee Protected      38   
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS      39   
  Section 10.1   Trust Indenture Act Controls      39   

 

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  Section 10.2    Notices      39   
  Section 10.3    Communication by Holders with Other Holders      40   
  Section 10.4    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      40   
  Section 10.5    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      40   
  Section 10.6    Rules by Trustee and Agents      41   
  Section 10.7    Legal Holidays      41   
  Section 10.8    No Recourse Against Others      41   
  Section 10.9    Counterparts      41   
  Section 10.10    Governing Laws      41   
  Section 10.11    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      42   
  Section 10.12    Successors      42   
  Section 10.13    Severability      42   
  Section 10.14    Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      42   
  Section 10.15    Securities in a Foreign Currency      42   
  Section 10.16    Judgment Currency      43   
  Section 10.17    USA Patriot Act      43   
ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS      43   
  Section 11.1    Applicability of Article      43   
  Section 11.2    Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      44   
  Section 11.3    Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      44   
ARTICLE XII. GUARANTEE      45   
  Section 12.1    Unconditional Guarantee      45   
  Section 12.2    Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee      46   
  Section 12.3    Limitation on the Guarantor’s Liability      46   
  Section 12.4    Release of the Guarantor from Guarantee      46   

 

iii


 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of                  , 20    

 

  Section 310(a)(1)          7.10   
  (a)(2)          7.10   
  (a)(3)          Not Applicable   
  (a)(4)          Not Applicable   
  (a)(5)          7.10   
  (b)              7.10   
  Section 311(a)              7.11   
  (b)              7.11   
  (c)              Not Applicable   
  Section 312(a)              2.6   
  (b)              10.3   
  (c)              10.3   
  Section 313(a)              7.6   
  (b)(1)          7.6   
  (b)(2)          7.6   
  (c)(1)          7.6   
  (d)              7.6   
  Section 314(a)              4.2, 10.5   
  (b)              Not Applicable   
  (c)(1)          10.4   
  (c)(2)          10.4   
  (c)(3)          Not Applicable   
  (d)              Not Applicable   
  (e)              10.5   
  (f)              Not Applicable   
  Section 315(a)              7.1   
  (b)              7.5   
  (c)              7.1   
  (d)              7.1   
  (e)              6.14   
  Section 316(a)              2.10   
  (a)(1)(a)      6.12   
  (a)(1)(b)      6.13   
  (b)              6.8   
  Section 317(a)(1)          6.3   
  (a)(2)          6.4   
  (b)              2.5   
  Section 318(a)              10.1   

 

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

 

iv


 

Indenture dated as of                  , 20     among Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the “Company”), Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Guarantor”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1 Definitions.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

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

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions or the Corporate Trust Office are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such person; and (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited).


 

“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

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

“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.

“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America, including the Euro.

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (a) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (a) or (b), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have

 

2


been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, as in effect from time to time.

“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

“Guarantee” means the full and unconditional guarantee provided by the Guarantor as made applicable to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the terms of Section 2.2.24 of this Indenture and any establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate (provided that, with respect to any Series of Securities to which Article XII of this Indenture applies, “Guarantee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(b) of this Indenture), and the guarantees endorsed on the certificates evidencing the Securities, or both, as the context shall require.

“Guarantor” means Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and its respective successors and assigns.

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented, from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

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

“Notation of Guarantee” means a notation executed by the Guarantor and affixed to each Security of any Series to which a Guarantee under this Indenture applies.

“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

3


 

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

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary in which the Company has invested at least $50,000,000 in capital.

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

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, (a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that person (or a combination thereof) and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such person or a subsidiary of such person or (ii) the only general partners of which are such person or of one or more subsidiaries of such person (or any combination thereof).

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with

 

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respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions.

 

TERM

  

DEFINED IN
SECTION

“Bankruptcy Law”

   6.1

“Custodian”

   6.1

“Guarantee”

   12.1(b)

“Event of Default”

   6.1

“Judgment Currency”

   10.16

“Legal Holiday”

   10.7

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

   11.1

“Market Exchange Rate”

   10.15

“New York Banking Day”

   10.16

“optional sinking fund payment”

   11.1

“Paying Agent”

   2.4

“Registrar”

   2.4

“Required Currency”

   10.16

“Service Agent”

   2.4

“successor person”

   5.1

Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

 

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All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

Section 1.4 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

ARTICLE II.

THE SECURITIES

Section 2.1 Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Section 2.2 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.24) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate:

2.2.1 the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

 

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2.2.2 the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

2.2.3 any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

2.2.4 the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

2.2.5 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

2.2.6 the place or places where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means, and the place or places where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served,;

2.2.7 if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

2.2.8 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies in which and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

2.2.9 the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

2.2.10 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

2.2.11 the forms of the Securities of the Series and whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities;

2.2.12 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

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2.2.13 the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency;

2.2.14 the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be made;

2.2.15 if payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

2.2.16 the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

2.2.17 the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series or a Guarantee;

2.2.18 any addition to, change in or deletion from the Events of Default which apply to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

2.2.19 any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

2.2.20 any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;

2.2.21 the provisions, if any, relating to conversion of any Securities of such Series, including if applicable, the conversion price, the conversion period, the securities or other property into which the Securities will be convertible, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders thereof or at the option of the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such Series of Securities are redeemed;

2.2.22 whether the Securities of such Series will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if applicable, the subordination terms thereof;

2.2.23 whether the Securities of such Series are entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee pursuant to this Indenture, the terms of such Guarantee, including whether the provisions of Article XII of this Indenture shall apply to such Guarantee, and whether any such Guarantee shall be made on a senior or subordinated basis and, if applicable, the subordination terms of any such Guarantee; and

2.2.24 any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series).

 

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All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above.

Section 2.3 Execution and Authentication.

Any Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

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Section 2.4 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

Section 2.5 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

 

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Section 2.6 Securityholder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

Section 2.7 Transfer and Exchange.

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

Section 2.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

 

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

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

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

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

Section 2.9 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay all amounts payable in respect of such Securities on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

The Company may purchase or otherwise acquire the Securities, whether by open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

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Section 2.10 Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.11 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

Section 2.12 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver such canceled Securities to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs; provided that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy Securities. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

Section 2.14 Global Securities.

2.14.1 Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

2.14.2 Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be

 

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exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (a) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (b) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

2.14.3 Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY, BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.”

2.14.4 Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

2.14.5 Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

2.14.6 Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.

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

ARTICLE III.

REDEMPTION

Section 3.1 Notice to Trustee.

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 35 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption.

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

 

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(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(d) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(e) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(f) the CUSIP number, if any; and

(g) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

At the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE IV.

COVENANTS

Section 4.1 Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3, if applicable), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided

 

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that the Company may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article 3, if applicable, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Company is required to withhold by law.

Section 4.2 SEC Reports.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate).

Section 4.3 Compliance Certificate.

The Company and the Guarantor (to the extent that the Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether each of the Company and the Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge each of the Company and the Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge).

The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.4 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.5 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article V, each of the Company and the Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided that neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right if the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

ARTICLE V.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.1 Company May Consolidate on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other person or persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Company will be the continuing entity or the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Company, to any other person (whether or not affiliated with the Company); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(a) the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Company or the successor person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this Section 5.1 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Except in the case of a substantially concurrent consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Guarantor in compliance with Section 5.3, no such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 5.1 unless prior thereto the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate, stating that the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 5.2 Company Successor to be Substituted.

 

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Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other person or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to any person in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter the predecessor person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Company; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities except in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.1 hereof.

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 Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 5.3 Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Guarantor with or into any other person or persons (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Guarantor will be the continuing entity or the Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Guarantor, to any other person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(a) the Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall expressly assume the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Guarantor or the successor person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Guarantor, stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Section 5.3 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 5.4 Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted

Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Guarantor to any person in accordance with Section 5.3, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor is

 

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merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been named as the Guarantor herein, and thereafter, the predecessor person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor Guarantor shall not be relieved from the obligation to guarantee the payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities except in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the Guarantor’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.3 hereof.

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.

ARTICLE VI.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.1 Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

(a) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or

(b) default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

(c) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in this Section 6.1 and other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d) the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or under or within meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or

 

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other similar official of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary; or

(ii) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary; or

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(e) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) calendar days; or

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

(i) is for relief against the Company, the Guarantor or any of Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding;

(ii) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (g), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for sixty (60) calendar days; or

(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 6.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(d), (e) or (f)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount

 

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(or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d), (e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

At any time after the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities 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, subject in all respects to Section 6.13 hereof, if: (a) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived; and (b) the Company or the Guarantor has deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of and interest on, the Securities, plus the reasonable compensation and reimbursement for the Trustee’s expenses, disbursements and advances pursuant to Section 7.7. No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Company shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default, as provided in Section 4.3.

Section 6.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if

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

(b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

(c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,

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

 

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If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

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

Section 6.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

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

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

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

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

Section 6.6 Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

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

Third: To the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable.

Section 6.7 Limitation on Suits.

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

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

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

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

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

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

 

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it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders of the applicable Series.

Section 6.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.

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

Section 6.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

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

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

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

 

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Section 6.12 Control by Holders.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

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

(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default (a) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

 

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ARTICLE VII.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

(ii) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

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

(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

(d) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless it receives indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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(f) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

(g) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in this Section 7.1 with respect to the Trustee.

Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the

 

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Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

(i) Any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty.

(j) 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.

Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee subject to TIA provisions regarding conflicts of interests. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are

 

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listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with

 

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respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

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Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 8.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

(a) either

(i) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

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

(1) have become due and payable, or

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

(3) have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or

(4) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;

and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

If the Company exercises the satisfaction and discharge provisions in compliance with this Indenture with respect to Securities of a particular Series that are entitled to the benefit of a Guarantee, such Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Securities.

Section 8.2 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 8.3 or 8.4.

(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

Section 8.3 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.20, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect and any Guarantee will terminate with respect to that Series of Securities (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

 

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(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

(b) the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

(c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(d) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

(e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit related to other indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary) and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(f) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

 

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(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

(i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.4 Covenant Defeasance.

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.20 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.20 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.18 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

(b) Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit related to other indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary) and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

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(d) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(e) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.5 Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years and shall have no liability with respect to such funds upon payment thereof to the Company. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look solely to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders.

The Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to comply with Article V;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(d) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

(e) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

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

(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(h) to reflect the release of the Guarantor in accordance with Article XII; or

 

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(i) to add guarantors with respect to any or all of the Securities or to secure any or all of the Securities or a Guarantee.

Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders.

The Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.3 Limitations.

Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

(a) reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

(c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

(d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

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(f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

(g) make any change in Section 6.8, 6.13 or 9.3 (this sentence);

(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; or

(i) if the Securities of that Series are entitled to the benefit of a Guarantee, release the Guarantor of such Series other than as provided in this Indenture or modify such Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

Section 9.4 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.5 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

Section 9.6 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

Section 9.7 Trustee Protected.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights or liabilities.

 

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ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

Section 10.2 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

if to the Company:

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94105

Telecopier No.: (415) 738-6521

Attention: General Counsel

if to the Guarantor:

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94105

Telecopier No.: (415) 738-6521

Attention: General Counsel

if to the Trustee:

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street

MS NYC60-2710

New York, New York 10005

Telecopier No.: (732) 578-4635

Attention: Trust & Securities Services

With a copy to:

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

100 Plaza One – 6th Floor

MSJCY03-0699

Jersey City, New Jersey 07311

Telecopier No.: (732) 578-4635

Attention: Trust & Securities Services

 

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

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it. If a notice or communication is delivered in person, by courier or by facsimile transmission (with confirmation of receipt) within the time prescribed, it is duly given.

If the Company or the Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

Section 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

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

 

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(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he 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

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 10.7 Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 10.8 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee or stockholder (past or present), as such, of the Company or the Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, a Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

Section 10.9 Counterparts.

This Indenture 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 an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 10.10 Governing Laws.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 10.12 Successors.

All agreements of the Company and the Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

Section 10.13 Severability.

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

Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, 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 10.15 Securities in a Foreign Currency.

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or such other quotations as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole

 

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discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.

Section 10.16 Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Section 10.17 USA Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “USA Patriot Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

ARTICLE XI.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.

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

 

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The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

Section 11.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

Section 11.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or

 

44


supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

ARTICLE XII.

GUARANTEE

Section 12.1 Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XII to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XII shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Securities of any Series designated, pursuant to Section 2.2.24, as entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee identified in such designation and that has executed a Notation of Guarantee with respect to such Series.

(b) For value received, the Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (for purpose of any Series of Securities to which this Article XII applies, the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee on behalf of the Holders the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Series of Securities for which the Guarantor has executed a Notation of Guarantee with respect to such Series and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities of such Series by the Company, when and as such principal and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of such Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 12.3, if applicable.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to a Guarantee, for whatever reason, the Guarantor will be obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities entitled to a Guarantee, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.7, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against the Guarantor to enforce such Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company.

(d) The Guarantor hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, and all demands whatsoever and (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing a Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations

 

45


hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing a Guarantee without notice to it. The Guarantor further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any person to any Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and such Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(e) The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Securities entitled to a Guarantee and such Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

Section 12.2 Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee.

To evidence a Guarantee of a Series of Securities, a Notation of Guarantee, executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of the Guarantor, shall be affixed on each Security entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee. If any Officer of the Guarantor whose signature is on a Notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates a Security to which such Notation of Guarantee is affixed or at any time thereafter, a Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Guarantee relating to such Security set forth in the Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

Section 12.3 Limitation on the Guarantor’s Liability.

The Guarantor by its acceptance hereof and each Holder of a Security entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by the Guarantor pursuant to any such Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, each Holder of a Security entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agrees that the obligations of the Guarantor under any Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor, not result in the obligations of the Guarantor under any Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 12.4 Release of the Guarantor from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, a Guarantee may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 8.1, Section 8.3 and in this Section 12.4. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, a Guarantee pursuant to this Article XII shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interests in the Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not

 

46


prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of the Guarantor into the Company or the liquidation and dissolution of the Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) with respect to any Series of Securities, upon the occurrence of any other condition set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing the terms of such Series.

(b) Upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of the Guarantor from any Guarantee.

 

47


 

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

 

Digital Realty Trust, L.P., as the Company
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Digital Realty Trust, Inc., as the Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Signature Page to Indenture

EX-5.1 3 dex51.htm OPINION OF VENABLE LLP Opinion of Venable LLP

 

Exhibit 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]

November 15, 2010

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

Suite 2900

560 Mission Street

San Francisco, California 94105

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

(Registration Nos. 333-158958 and 333-158958-01)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of the following securities (collectively, the “Securities”): (a) shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”); (b) shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Preferred Shares”); (c) depositary shares representing fractional interests in Preferred Shares (“Depositary Shares”); (d) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities (as defined herein) and related Guarantees (as defined herein) (“Warrants”); (e) debt securities of the Operating Partnership (“Debt Securities”); and (f) guarantees by the Company of the obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Debt Securities (“Guarantees”), covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

In connection with our representation of the Company and the Operating Partnership, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the 1933 Act;

2. The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);


Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

November 15, 2010

Page 2

 

3. The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

4. The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the “Partnership Certificate”), certified by the SDAT;

5. The Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

6. Certificates of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company and the Operating Partnership, dated as of a recent date;

7. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, in its own capacity and in its capacity as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership (the “Board”), relating to the registration of the Securities (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

8. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

9. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company or the Operating Partnership) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company or the Operating Partnership) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.


Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

November 15, 2010

Page 3

 

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. The issuance of, and certain terms of, the Securities to be issued by the Company or the Operating Partnership from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance with and not in violation of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Maryland Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the Charter, the Bylaws, the Partnership Certificate, the Partnership Agreement and the Resolutions (such approval referred to herein as the “Corporate Proceedings”).

6. Articles Supplementary creating and designating the number of shares and the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares to be issued by the Company will be filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT prior to the issuance of such Preferred Shares.

7. Upon the issuance of any Securities that are Common Shares (“Common Securities”), including Common Securities which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Securities, the total number of Common Shares issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of Common Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

8. Upon the issuance of any Securities that are Preferred Shares (“Preferred Securities”), including (a) Preferred Securities which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Preferred Securities and (b) Preferred Securities represented by Depositary Shares, the total number of Preferred Shares issued and outstanding, and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the applicable class or series of Preferred Shares designated pursuant to the Charter, will not exceed the total number of Preferred Shares or the number of shares of such class or series of Preferred Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.


Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

November 15, 2010

Page 4

 

9. None of the Securities will be issued, sold or transferred in violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in Article VI of the Charter or any comparable provision in the Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of Preferred Shares.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT. The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly formed and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

2. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Common Securities, the issuance of the Common Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Common Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Preferred Securities, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Preferred Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

4. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Securities that are Depositary Shares, the issuance of the Depositary Shares will be duly authorized.

5. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Securities that are Warrants, the issuance of the Warrants will be duly authorized.

6. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Securities that are Debt Securities, the issuance of the Debt Securities will be duly authorized.

7. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to Securities that are Guarantees, the issuance of the Guarantees will be duly authorized.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to


Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

November 15, 2010

Page 5

 

compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP
EX-5.2 4 dex52.htm OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

  

505 Montgomery Street, Suite 2000

San Francisco, California 94111-6538

Tel: +1.415.391.0600 Fax: +1.415.395.8095

www.lw.com

 

LOGO    FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
   Abu Dhabi   Moscow
   Barcelona   Munich
   Beijing   New Jersey
   Brussels   New York
   Chicago   Orange County
   Doha   Paris
   Dubai   Riyadh
   Frankfurt   Rome
November 15, 2010    Hamburg   San Diego
   Hong Kong   San Francisco
   Houston   Shanghai
   London   Silicon Valley
   Los Angeles   Singapore
   Madrid   Tokyo
   Milan   Washington, D.C.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

  Re: Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Guarantor”), and Digital Realty Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), in connection with the filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of post-effective amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-158958 and 333-158958-01) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

You have provided us with a draft of the Amendment in the form in which it will be filed, which includes a base prospectus (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). The Registration Statement registers, among other things, the offering by the Operating Partnership of one or more series of debt securities (the “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to an indenture in the form incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as may be supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) by and among the Operating Partnership, the Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and the guarantees by the Guarantor of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Indenture. This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Debt Securities and the Guarantees.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon


November 15, 2010

Page 2

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certificates and other assurances of officers of the Operating Partnership, the Guarantor and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state. Various issues concerning Maryland law are addressed in the opinion of Venable LLP, which has been separately provided to you. We express no opinion with respect to those matters herein, and to the extent elements of those opinions are necessary to the conclusions expressed herein, we have, with your consent, assumed such matters.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, when the Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Operating Partnership and corporate action of the Guarantor and duly executed and delivered by the Operating Partnership, the Guarantor and the Trustee, and when the specific terms of a particular Debt Security have been duly established in accordance with the Indenture and authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Operating Partnership, and such Debt Security has been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor, and when the Guarantees of such Debt Security have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Guarantor and duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor in accordance with the Indenture and, in each case, in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement(s) and by such limited partnership and corporate action, as applicable, such Debt Security and Guarantees will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against the Operating Partnership and the Guarantor in accordance with their respective terms.

Our opinion is subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) we express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies or judicial relief, (c) waivers of rights or defenses, (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) any provision permitting, upon acceleration of any Debt Security, collection of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon, (f) the creation, validity, attachment, perfection, or priority of any lien or security interest, (g) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights, (h) waivers of broadly or vaguely


November 15, 2010

Page 3

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stated rights, (i) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies, (j) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations, (k) grants of setoff rights, (l) proxies, powers and trusts, (m) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property, (n) provisions purporting to make a guarantor primarily liable rather than as a surety, (o) provisions purporting to waive modifications of any guaranteed obligation to the extent such modification constitutes a novation, (p) any provision to the extent it requires that a claim with respect to a security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment in respect of such a claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange at a particular date, to the extent applicable law otherwise provides, and (q) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.

With your consent, we have assumed (i) that the Indenture, the Debt Securities, the Guarantees and any related supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing the terms thereof (collectively, the “Documents”) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, (ii) that each of the Documents will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (iii) that each of the Documents will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Operating Partnership and the Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (iv) that the status of each of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties will not be affected by any (a) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (b) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (c) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or to make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm contained in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP
EX-8.1 5 dex81.htm OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP WITH RESPECT TO TAX MATTERS Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax matters

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

355 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90071-1560

Tel: +1.213.485.1234 Fax: +1.213.891.8763

www.lw.com

 

LOGO   FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
  Abu Dhabi   Moscow
  Barcelona   Munich
  Beijing   New Jersey
  Brussels   New York
  Chicago   Orange County
  Doha   Paris
November 15, 2010   Dubai   Riyadh
  Frankfurt   Rome
  Hamburg   San Diego
  Hong Kong   San Francisco
  Houston   Shanghai
  London   Silicon Valley
  Los Angeles   Singapore
  Madrid   Tokyo
  Milan   Washington, D.C.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94105

 

  Re: Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as tax counsel to Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a post-effective amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-158958) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

You have requested our opinion concerning certain of the federal income tax considerations relating to the Company. This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, including the facts set forth in the Registration Statement concerning the business, assets and governing documents of the Company and its subsidiaries. We have also been furnished with, and with your consent have relied upon, certain representations made by the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to certain factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (the “Officer’s Certificate”).

In our capacity as tax counsel to the Company, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. For the purposes of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above referenced documents or in the Officer’s Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us which are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

We are opining herein only as to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of other federal laws, the laws of any state or other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state.


November 15, 2010

Page 2

LOGO

 

Based on such facts, assumptions and representations, it is our opinion that:

 

  1. Commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2004, the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code; and

 

  2. The statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to summarize certain provisions of the statutes or regulations referred to therein, are accurate summaries in all material respects.

No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed herein.

This opinion is rendered to you as of the date of this letter, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Any such change may affect the conclusions stated herein. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the Registration Statement or the Officer’s Certificate may affect the conclusions stated herein. As described in the Registration Statement, the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Company’s ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements.

This opinion is rendered only to you and is solely for your benefit in connection with the transaction described above. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity for any purpose without our prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld in our discretion, except that this opinion may be relied upon by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm name in the Registration Statement under the captions “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters.” In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP
EX-12.1 6 dex121.htm STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS Statement of Computation of Ratios

 

Exhibit 12.1

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Statement of Computation of Ratios (1)

(in thousands, except ratios)

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,

2010
     Year ended December 31,  
        2009     2008     2007     2006      2005  

Income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests

   $ 69,114       $ 91,234      $ 67,918      $ 22,546      $ 24,890       $ 24,460   

Interest expense

     100,801         88,442        63,621        67,054        50,598         35,381   

Interest within rental expense

     1,921         2,633        2,619        1,971        680         147   

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

     29         (140     (335     —          —           —     
                                                  

Earnings available to cover fixed charges

   $ 171,865       $ 182,169      $ 133,823      $ 91,571      $ 76,168       $ 59,988   

Fixed charges:

              

Interest expense

   $ 100,801       $ 88,442      $ 63,621      $ 67,054      $ 50,598       $ 35,381   

Interest within rental expense (2)

     1,921         2,633        2,619        1,971        680         147   

Capitalized interest

     7,141         9,196        18,351        12,264        4,028         279   
                                                  
     109,863         100,271        84,591        81,289        55,306         35,807   

Preferred stock dividends

     29,396         40,404        38,564        19,330        13,780         10,014   
                                                  

Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

   $ 139,259       $ 140,675      $ 123,155      $ 100,619      $ 69,086       $ 45,821   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     1.56         1.82        1.58        1.13        1.38         1.68   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

     1.23         1.29        1.09        —   (3)      1.10         1.31   
                                                  

 

(1) All numbers presented in this exhibit exclude 7979 East Tufts Avenue (sold July 2006), 100 Technology Center Drive (sold in March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (sold in March 2007).
(2) Interest within rental expense represents one-third of rental expense (the approximate portion of rental expense representing interest).
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred dividends by $9,048.


 

Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and Subsidiaries

Statement of Computation of Ratios (1)

(in thousands, except ratios)

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,

2010
     Year ended December 31,  
        2009     2008     2007     2006      2005  

Income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests

   $ 69,114       $ 91,234      $ 67,918      $ 22,546      $ 24,890       $ 24,460   

Interest expense

     100,801         88,442        63,621        67,054        50,598         35,381   

Interest within rental expense

     1,921         2,633        2,619        1,971        680         147   

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

     29         (140     (335     —          —           —     
                                                  

Earnings available to cover fixed charges

   $ 171,865       $ 182,169      $ 133,823      $ 91,571      $ 76,168       $ 59,988   

Fixed charges:

              

Interest expense

   $ 100,801       $ 88,442      $ 63,621      $ 67,054      $ 50,598       $ 35,381   

Interest within rental expense (2)

     1,921         2,633        2,619        1,971        680         147   

Capitalized interest

     7,141         9,196        18,351        12,264        4,028         279   
                                                  
     109,863         100,271        84,591        81,289        55,306         35,807   

Preferred unit distributions

     29,396         40,404        38,564        19,330        13,780         10,014   
                                                  

Fixed charges and preferred unit distributions

   $ 139,259       $ 140,675      $ 123,155      $ 100,619      $ 69,086       $ 45,821   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     1.56         1.82        1.58        1.13        1.38         1.68   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred unit distributions

     1.23         1.29        1.09        —   (3)      1.10         1.31   
                                                  

 

(1) All numbers presented in this exhibit exclude 7979 East Tufts Avenue (sold July 2006), 100 Technology Center Drive (sold in March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (sold in March 2007).
(2) Interest within rental expense represents one-third of rental expense (the approximate portion of rental expense representing interest).
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred distributions by $9,048.
EX-23.3 7 dex233.htm CONSENT OF KPMG LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm

 

Exhibit 23.3

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 26, 2010, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 and the related financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

 

/S/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

November 15, 2010

EX-23.4 8 dex234.htm CONSENT OF KPMG LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm

 

Exhibit 23.4

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors of the General Partner

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

We consent to the use of our report dated June 25, 2010, except as to Note 17, which is as of August 4, 2010, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, capital and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

 

/S/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

November 15, 2010

EX-23.5 9 dex235.htm CONSENT OF KPMG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors

 

Exhibit 23.5

Independent Auditors’ Consent

The Board of Directors

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.:

We consent to the use of our report dated May 20, 2010 with respect to the combined statement of revenue and certain expenses of the New England Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2009 incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus. Our report refers to the fact that the combined statement of revenue and certain expenses was prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the New England Portfolio’s revenue and expenses.

 

/S/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

November 15, 2010

EX-23.6 10 dex236.htm CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors

 

Exhibit 23.6

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated May 26, 2010, except for Notes 1 and 6, as to which the date is August 20, 2010, with respect to the combined statements of revenues and certain expenses of the Rockwood Predecessor Data Centers incorporated by reference in the Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 Nos. 333-158958 and 333-158958-01) and related prospectus of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Francisco, CA

November 12, 2010

EX-25.1 11 dex251.htm STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY (FORM T-1) Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1)

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

(formerly BANKERS TRUST COMPANY)

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

NEW YORK   13-4941247

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification no.)

 

60 WALL STREET  
NEW YORK, NEW YORK   10005

(Address of principal

executive offices)

  (Zip Code)

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Attention: Lynne Malina

Legal Department

60 Wall Street, 37th Floor

New York, New York 10005

(212) 250 – 0677

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   26-0081711

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   20-2402955

(State or other jurisdiction Of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

560 Mission Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California

  94105
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture securities)


 

Item 1. General Information.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee.

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name

  

Address

Federal Reserve Bank (2nd District)    New York, NY
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C.
New York State Banking Department    Albany, NY

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

Item 3.-15. Not Applicable

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

 

Exhibit 1 -    Restated Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company dated August 6, 1998, Certificate of Amendment of the Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company dated September 25, 1998, Certificate of Amendment of the Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company dated December 16, 1998, and Certificate of Amendment of the Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company dated February 27, 2002 - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Exhibit 25(b) (Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility) to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-157637-01) filed on July 9, 2009.
Exhibit 2 -    Certificate of Authority to commence business - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to Exhibit 25(b) (Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility) to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-157637-01) filed on July 9, 2009.
Exhibit 3 -    Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Exhibit 25(b) (Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility) to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-157637-01) filed on July 9, 2009.
Exhibit 4 -    Existing By-Laws of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as amended on April 15, 2002 business - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to Exhibit 25(b) (Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility) to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-157637-01) filed on July 9, 2009.


 

Exhibit 5 -    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6 -    Consent of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas required by Section 321(b) of the Act. - business - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 to Exhibit 25.1 (Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility) to Digital Realty Trust, Inc.’s and Digital Realty Trust, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration Nos. 333-169752 and 333-169752-01) filed on October 5, 2010.
Exhibit 7 -    The latest report of condition of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas dated as of June 30, 2010. Copy attached.
Exhibit 8 -    Not Applicable.
Exhibit 9 -    Not Applicable.


 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on this 12th day of November, 2010.

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
  By:  

    /s/ Wanda Camacho

        Wanda Camacho
        Vice President


 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS      FFIEC 031
Legal Title of Bank       

Page RC-1

 

 

NEW YORK

     14
City       
NY   10005     
State   Zip Code     
FDIC Certificate Number: 00623       
Printed on 8/4/2010 at 4:16 PM       

Consolidated Report of Condition for Insured Commercial and State-Chartered Savings Banks for June 30, 2010

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the quarter.

Schedule RC—Balance Sheet

 

Dollar Amounts in Thousands

                 RCFD      Tril | Bil | Mil | Thou        

ASSETS

             

1.

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule

RC-A):

             
  a.   Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin (1)            0081         342,000        1.a   
  b.   Interest-bearing balances (2)            0071         8,573,000        1.b   

2.

  Securities:              
  a.   Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A)            1754         0        2.a   
  b.   Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)            1773         1,876,000        2.b   

3.

  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:            RCON        
  a.   Federal funds sold in domestic offices            B987         177,000        3.a   
               RCFD        
  b.   Securities purchased under agreements to resell (3)            B989         5,006,000        3.b   

4.

  Loans and lease financing receivables (from Schedule RC-C):              
  a.   Loans and leases held for sale            5369         0        4.a   
  b.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income      B528         13,279,000              4.b   
  c.   LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses      3123         148,000              4.c   
  d.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance (item 4.b minus 4.c)            B529         13,131,000        4.d   

5.

  Trading assets (from Schedule RC-D)            3545         7,855,000        5   

6.

  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)            2145         42,000        6   

7.

  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)            2150         17,000        7   

8.

  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies            2130         0        8   

9.

  Direct and indirect Investments in real estate ventures            3656         0        9   

10.

  Intangible assets:              
  a.   Goodwill            3163         0        10.a   
  b.   Other intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)            0426         50,000        10.b   

11.

  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)            2160         5,237,000        11   

12.

  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)            2170         42,306,000        12   

 

(1) Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2) Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
(3) Includes all securities resale agreements in domestic and foreign offices, regardless of maturity.


 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS        FFIEC 031   

Legal Title of Bank

      

 

Page RC-2

 

  

 

 

FDIC Certificate Number: 00623

       15   

Printed on 8/4/2010 at 4:16 PM

    

Schedule RC—Continued

 

Dollars Amounts in Thousands

                        Tril | Bil | Mil | Thou        
LIABILITIES              
13.    Deposits:            RCON        
   a.    In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E, part I)            2200         13,681,000        13.a   
      (1)    Noninterest-bearing (1)      6631         7,729,000              13.a.1   
      (2)    interest-bearing      6636         5,952,000              13.a.2   
   b.    In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs            RCFN        
      (from Schedule RC-E, part II)            2200         8,622,000        13.b   
      (1)    Noninterest-bearing      6631         3,649,000              13.b.1   
      (2)    interest-bearing      6636         4,973,000              13.b.2   
14.    Federal purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:            RCON        
   a.    Federal funds purchased in domestic offices (2)            B993         6,538,00        14.a   
                    RCFD        
   b.    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (3)            B995         0        14.b   
15.    Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)            3548         234,000        15   
16.    Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases) (from Schedule RC-M)            3190         1,679,000        16   
17.    and 18. Not applicable              
19.    Subordinated notes and debentures (4)            3200         0        19   
20.    Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)            2930         2,134,000        20   
21.    Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)            2948         32,888,000        21   
22.    Not applicable              
EQUITY CAPITAL              
   Bank Equity Capital              
23.    Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus            3838         1,500,000        23   
24.    Common stock            3230         2,127,000        24   
25.    Surplus (excludes all surplus related to preferred stock)            3839         586,000        25   
26.    a. Retained earnings            3632         4,798,000        26.a   
   b.    Accumulated other comprehensive income (5)            B530         8,000        26.b   
   c.    Other equity capital components (6)            A130         0        26.c   
27.    a. Total bank equity capital (sum of items 23 through 26.c)            3210         9,019,000        27.a   
   b.    Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries            3000         399,000        27.b   
28.    Total equity capital (sum of items 27.a and 27.b)            G105         9,418,000        28   
29.    Total liabilities and equity capital (sum of items 21 and 28)            3300         42,306,000        29   

Memoranda

             
To be reported with the March Report of Condition.              
1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best            RCFD         Number     

described the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external auditors as of any date during 2009

           6724         N/A        M.1   

 

1    =    Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank
2    =    Independent audit of the bank’s parent holding company conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated holding company (but not on the bank separately)
3    =    Attestation on bank management’s assertion on the effectiveness of the bank’s internal control over financial reporting by a certified public accounting firm.
4    =    Directors’ examination of the bank conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by state chartering authority)
5    =    Directors’ examination of the bank performed by other external auditors (may be required by state chartering authority)
6    =    Review of the bank’s financial statements by external auditors

7  =  Compilation of the bank’s financial statements by external auditors

8  =  Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)

9  =  No external audit work

To be reported with the March Report of Condition.            RCON       MM / DD  

2. Bank’s fiscal year-end date

           8678       N/A   M.2

 

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings deposits.
(2) Report overnight Federal Home Loan Bank advances in Schedule RC, item 16, “Other borrowed money.”
(3) Includes all securities repurchase agreements in domestic and foreign offices, regardless of maturity.
(4) Includes limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.
(5) Includes net unrealized holdings gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, accumulated net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, and minimum pension liability adjustments.
(6) Includes treasury stock and unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares.
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