424B3 1 d537562d424b3.htm 424B3 424B3

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-239185

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 68

(to Prospectus dated July 17, 2020)

 

LOGO

Nikola Corporation

Up to 53,390,000 Shares of Common Stock

Up to 23,890,000 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of Warrants

 

 

This prospectus supplement supplements the prospectus dated July 17, 2020 (the “Prospectus”), which forms a part of our registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-239185). This prospectus supplement is being filed to update and supplement the information in the Prospectus with the information contained in our current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2023 (the “Current Report”). Accordingly, we have attached the Current Report to this prospectus supplement.

The Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relates to the issuance by us of up to an aggregate of up to 23,890,000 shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), which consists of (i) up to 890,000 shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise of 890,000 warrants (the “Private Warrants”) originally issued in a private placement in connection with the initial public offering of VectoIQ and (ii) up to 23,000,000 shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise of 23,000,000 warrants (the “Public Warrants” and, together with the Private Warrants, the “Warrants”) originally issued in the initial public offering of VectoIQ.

The Prospectus and this prospectus supplement also relate to the offer and sale from time to time by the selling securityholders named in the Prospectus (the “Selling Securityholders”) of (i) up to 53,390,000 shares of Common Stock (including up to 890,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of the Private Warrants) and (ii) up to 890,000 Private Warrants.

Our Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “NKLA”. On August 18, 2023, the closing price of our Common Stock was $1.96.

This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the information in the Prospectus and is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in combination with, the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto. This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and if there is any inconsistency between the information in the Prospectus and this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of the Prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying our securities.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 21, 2023.


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 21, 2023

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38495   82-4151153

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, AZ

  85040
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(480) 666-1038

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   NKLA   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b–2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On August 21, 2023, Nikola Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the investors named therein (the “Investors”) for the sale of up to $325,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior convertible notes (the “Notes”), in a registered direct offering (the “Offering”). The Notes are convertible into shares (the “Shares” and together with the Notes, the “Securities”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), subject to certain conditions and limitations.

The Company expects to consummate an initial closing for the sale of $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes on or about August 21, 2023. The purchase price for the Notes is $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. Subject to certain conditions being met or waived, at the option of the Company or an Investor, one or more additional closings for up to the remaining principal amount of Notes may occur. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be offered in the additional closings may not be more than $200,000,000, and the option to sell additional Notes will be exercisable until the 18 month anniversary of the date of the Purchase Agreement (the “Additional Closing Expiration Date”). The Investors’ obligations to purchase the Notes at each additional closing are subject to certain conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Investors will be required to purchase Notes in the additional closings if such conditions are met or waived. The Notes contain restrictions on the issuance of securities, except for shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated equity distribution agreement with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., a public offering of Common Stock not to exceed $300 million, and, with the approval of required holders, a private placement of Common Stock not to exceed $75 million.

The Offering is being made by the Company directly to the Investors, without an underwriter or placement agent. The Company will not pay any selling commission to any party in connection with the Offering.

The Company estimates that the net cash proceeds from the initial closing of the Offering will be approximately $124.5 million, after deducting estimated expenses of the Offering.

The Offering is being made pursuant to the Company’s existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-264068), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 14, 2022 (the “Registration Statement”). A prospectus supplement relating to the Offering, together with the accompanying base prospectus included in the Registration Statement, has been filed with the SEC on August 21, 2023.

The series A-1 notes will be issued pursuant to the first supplemental indenture (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of August 21, 2023, between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The First Supplemental Indenture supplements the indenture entered into by and between the Company and the Trustee, dated as of August 21, 2023 (the “Base Indenture”, and together with the First Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”).

The Purchase Agreement

The Purchase Agreement contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and indemnities customary for similar transactions. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed that, until the later of the Additional Closing Expiration Date and the date no Notes remain outstanding, the Company will not effect or enter an agreement to effect any variable rate transaction, other than certain specified existing variable rate transactions. Variable rate transactions include the issuance of securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock at prices that are based upon or vary with the trading prices for the Common Stock or with conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to reset at a future date (other than customary “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions) and agreements by which securities may be sold at future determined prices, until the later of the expiration date for additional closings under the Purchase Agreement and the date no Notes remain outstanding. In addition, as a requirement to the initial closing, the Company agreed to terminate that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Tumim Stone Capital LLC (“Tumim”) dated September 24, 2021 (the “Tumim Agreement”).

The Investor has the right to terminate its obligations under the Purchase Agreement if the Company has not issued Notes to the Investor within five days of the date of the Purchase Agreement, subject to certain exceptions.

The Notes

General. Each Note will accrue interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum, payable in arrears on the first calendar day of each calendar quarter, beginning January 1, 2024. Interest will be payable in cash or shares of Common Stock or in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s option. The interest rate will increase to an annual rate of 12.5% per annum upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default under the Notes. Each Note issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will have a maturity date of one year from issuance, which may be extended at the option of the noteholders in certain instances. Upon any conversion, redemption or


other repayment of a Note, a “make-whole” amount equal to the amount of additional interest that would accrue under such Note at the interest rate then in effect assuming that the outstanding principal of such Notes remained outstanding through and including the maturity date of such Note.

Rank. The Notes will be senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company.

Voluntary Conversion. At any time on or after August 21, 2023, all or any portion of the principal amount of each Note, plus accrued and unpaid interest, any make-whole amount and any late charges thereon (the “Conversion Amount”), is convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the noteholder’s option, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price per share (the “Conversion Price”) equal to the lowest of (i) a “reference price” of $2.94, subject to certain adjustments (the “Reference Price”), (ii) the greater of (x) a “floor price” of $0.38 (the “Floor Price”) and (y) the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Common Stock as of the conversion date, and (iii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price, and as elected by the converting noteholder, (y) either (X) depending on the delivery time of the applicable conversion notice, (1) the VWAP as of the applicable conversion date or (2) the VWAP immediately prior to the applicable conversion date and (Y) 95% of the average VWAP for the three trading days commencing on, and including, the applicable conversion date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Notes.

Alternate Conversion. At any time during an Event of Default Redemption Right Period (as defined below under “—Events of Default”), a noteholder may alternatively elect to convert all or any portion of the Notes at an alternate conversion rate (the “Alternate Conversion Rate”) equal to the quotient of (i) 115% of the Conversion Amount, divided by (ii) the Conversion Price.

Change of Control. Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Notes), a noteholder may, subject to certain exceptions, require the Company to redeem all, or any portion, of the Notes in cash at a price equal to 115% of the greatest of: (i) the Conversion Amount, (ii) the product of (x) the Conversion Amount and (y) the quotient of (I) the greatest closing sale price of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of such Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control, and ending on the date the noteholder notifies the Company of its exercise of its right to redeem pursuant to the Change of Control, divided by (II) the Conversion Price, and (iii) the product of (x) the Conversion Amount and (y) the quotient of (I) the aggregate consideration per share of Common Stock to be paid to the holders of the Common Stock upon consummation of such Change of Control, divided by (II) the Conversion Price.

Subsequent Placements. If the Company consummates certain Subsequent Placements (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the noteholders have the right, subject to certain exceptions, to require that the Company redeem all, or any portion, of the Conversion Amount of the Notes not in excess of 20% of the gross proceeds of such Subsequent Placement at a redemption price of 100% of the Conversion Amount to be redeemed. If the noteholder is participating in such Subsequent Placement, the noteholder may require the Company to apply all, or any part, of any amounts that would otherwise be payable to the noteholder in such redemption, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, against the purchase price of the securities to be purchased by the noteholder in such Subsequent Placement.

Beneficial Ownership Limitation. A noteholder will not have the right to convert any portion of the Notes, to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, the noteholder (together with certain of its affiliates and other related parties) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion (the “Maximum Percentage”). The noteholder may from time to time increase the Maximum Percentage to 9.99%, provided that any such increase will not be effective until the 61st day after delivery of a notice to the Company of such increase.

Nasdaq Limitation. The Company will not issue any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of any Notes, or otherwise, if the issuance of such Common Stock, together with any Common Stock issued in connection with the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue in connection with the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Exchange Cap”), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market for issuances of shares of Common Stock in excess of such amount. At any time the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock due to the Exchange Cap, the Company will pay cash in accordance with the terms of the Notes.


Events of Default. The Notes provide for certain Events of Default, including certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events of default involving the Company after which the Notes become automatically due and payable. At any time after the earlier of (x) a noteholder’s receipt of a required notice of an event of default, and (y) the noteholder becoming aware of an event of default, and ending on the twentieth trading day after the later of (I) the date such event of default is cured, and (II) the Investor’s receipt of an event of default notice from the Company, the noteholder may require the Company to redeem, subject to certain exceptions, all or any portion of its Notes at a price equal to 115% of the greater of (i) the Conversion Amount and (ii) the product of the Alternate Conversion Rate, multiplied by the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Event of Default and ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment.

Covenants. The Company will be subject to certain customary affirmative and negative covenants regarding the rank of the Notes, the incurrence of certain indebtedness, the repayment of certain indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, and restrictions on certain issuance of securities, among other customary matters.

Additional Information

The Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture (including the Form of Note) are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Offering by the Company and the summary of the documentation related thereto does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Purchase Agreement and the Form of Note have been included to provide investors and security holders with information regarding their terms. The documents are not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Purchase Agreement and the Form of Note were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements, may in some cases be made solely for the allocation of risk between the parties and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.

 

Item 1.02

Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

As previously reported, on September 24, 2021, the Company entered into the Tumim Agreement with Tumim. Among other things, the terms of the Tumim Agreement provided that the Company had the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Tumim, and Tumim had the obligation to purchase up to $300 million of Common Stock. In connection with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the Company terminated the Tumim Agreement.

In addition, on December 30, 2022, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Prior Purchase Agreement”) with the investors named therein for the sale of up to $125,000,000 in principal amount of senior convertible notes, in a registered direct offering. Concurrently with entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company terminated the Prior Purchase Agreement, and the approximately $22.9 million in principal amount of senior convertible notes issuable thereunder.

 

Item 2.03

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

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the issuance of the Notes is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events.

The Company has updated its disclosures. The disclosures are filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated by reference herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to the Company, including statements relating to: expectations with respect to the initial closing of the Notes, including the timing thereof and amount of net proceeds from the initial closing of the Notes; the Company’s beliefs regarding the probable cause and likely source of the thermal event; the Company’s beliefs regarding its ability to provide a remedy, the nature of such remedy and expected timing of repairs; and the Company’s beliefs regarding the extent of vehicles affected. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Current Report release, including but not limited to: the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the initial closing of the Notes; the final results of the Company’s investigations into the thermal event; the discovery that the cause of the thermal event is more extensive than initially anticipated; delays or the Company’s inability to remedy the problem; the inability to repair trucks in the field; the risk that additional trucks experience thermal events; risks that customers and dealers do not comply with the Company’s recommendations with respect to affected vehicles, and resulting damage or loss; the risk that the trucks will not be able to remain in operation pending completion of the recall service; the impact on the Company’s business, customer orders and the Company’s brand and reputation; the effect of any governmental or regulatory actions; and the factors, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company’s business described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 filed with the SEC, in addition to the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  4.1    Indenture by and between Nikola Corporation and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee, dated August 21, 2023.
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture (including Form of Note) by and between Nikola Corporation and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee, dated August 21, 2023.
  5.1    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
10.1    Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 21, 2023, by and between Nikola Corporation and the investors named therein.
23.1    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
99.1    Disclosures
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL).


SIGNATURE

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

Dated: August 21, 2023

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Britton M. Worthen

  Britton M. Worthen
  Chief Legal Officer


Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

TO

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB

Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of August 21, 2023

 

 

 

 

 


NIKOLA CORPORATION

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of              , 20

 

Trust Indenture        Indenture

    Act Section    

      

Sections

§310(a)(1)      609
        (a)(2)      609
        (a)(3)      Not Applicable
        (a)(4)      Not Applicable
        (a)(5)      609
        (b)      608
     610
§311(a)      613(a)
        (b)      613(b)
        (b)(2)      703(a)(2)
     703(b)
§312(a)      701
     702(a)
        (b)      702(b)
        (c)      702(c)
§313(a)      703(a)
        (b)      703(b)
        (c)      703(a), 703(b)
        (d)      703(c)
§314(a)      704, 1004
        (b)      Not Applicable
        (c)(1)      102
        (c)(2)      102
        (c)(3)      Not Applicable
        (d)      Not Applicable
        (e)      102
§315(a)      601(a)
        (b)      602
     703(a)(7)
        (c)      601(b)
        (d)      601(c)
        (d)(l)      601(a)(1)
        (d)(2)      601(c)(2)
        (d)(3)      601(c)(3)
        (e)      514
§316(a)      101
        (a)(1)(A)      502
     512
        (a)(1)(B)      513
        (a)(2)      Not Applicable
        (b)      508
        (c)      104(e)
§317(a)(l)      503
        (a)(2)      504
        (b)      1003
§318(a)      107

 

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 101.

  Definitions.      1  

SECTION 102.

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.      6  

SECTION 103.

  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.      7  

SECTION 104.

  Acts of Holders.      7  

SECTION 105.

  Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.      8  

SECTION 106.

  Notice to Holders; Waiver.      8  

SECTION 107.

  Conflict With Trust Indenture Act.      9  

SECTION 108.

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.      9  

SECTION 109.

  Successors and Assigns.      9  

SECTION 110.

  Separability Clause.      9  

SECTION 111.

  Benefits of Indenture.      9  

SECTION 112.

  Governing Law.      9  

SECTION 113.

  Legal Holidays.      9  

SECTION 114.

  Rules by Trustee and Agents.      9  

SECTION 115.

  No Recourse Against Others.      10  

SECTION 116.

  Counterparts.      10  
ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITY FORMS

 

SECTION 201.

  Forms Generally.      10  

SECTION 202.

  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.      10  
ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 301.

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.      11  

SECTION 302.

  Denominations.      13  

SECTION 303.

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.      13  

SECTION 304.

  Temporary Securities.      14  

SECTION 305.

  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.      14  

SECTION 306.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.      15  

SECTION 307.

  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.      16  

SECTION 308.

  Persons Deemed Owners.      16  

SECTION 309.

  Cancellation.      17  

SECTION 310.

  Computation of Interest.      17  

 

i


SECTION 311.

  Global Securities; Exchanges; Registration and Registration of Transfer.      17  

SECTION 312.

  Extension of Interest Payment.      18  
ARTICLE FOUR

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 401.

  Termination of Company’s Obligations.      18  

SECTION 402.

  Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.      19  

SECTION 403.

  Defeasance of Certain Obligations.      19  

SECTION 404.

  Conditions to Defeasance.      19  

SECTION 405.

  Application of Trust Money.      21  

SECTION 406.

  Reinstatement.      21  
ARTICLE FIVE

 

REMEDIES

 

SECTION 501.

  Events of Default.      21  

SECTION 502.

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.      22  

SECTION 503.

  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.      23  

SECTION 504.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.      23  

SECTION 505.

  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.      24  

SECTION 506.

  Application of Money Collected.      24  

SECTION 507.

  Limitation on Suits.      24  

SECTION 508.

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.      25  

SECTION 509.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.      25  

SECTION 510.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.      25  

SECTION 511.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.      25  

SECTION 512.

  Control by Holders.      25  

SECTION 513.

  Waiver of Past Defaults.      26  

SECTION 514.

  Undertaking for Costs.      26  

SECTION 515.

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.      26  
ARTICLE SIX

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 601.

  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.      26  

SECTION 602.

  Notice of Defaults.      27  

SECTION 603.

  Certain Rights of Trustee.      28  

SECTION 604.

  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.      29  

SECTION 605.

  May Hold Securities.      29  

SECTION 606.

  Money Held in Trust.      29  

SECTION 607.

  Compensation and Reimbursement.      29  

SECTION 608.

  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.      30  

 

ii


SECTION 609.

  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.      30  

SECTION 610.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.      30  

SECTION 611.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.      32  

SECTION 612.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.      32  

SECTION 613.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.      33  

SECTION 614.

  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.      33  
ARTICLE SEVEN

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

SECTION 701.

  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.      34  

SECTION 702.

  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.      35  

SECTION 703.

  Reports by Trustee.      35  

SECTION 704.

  Reports by Company.      36  
ARTICLE EIGHT

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

 

SECTION 801.

  Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms.      36  

SECTION 802.

  Successor Substituted for the Company.      37  
ARTICLE NINE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 901.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.      37  

SECTION 902.

  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.      39  

SECTION 903.

  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.      40  

SECTION 904.

  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.      40  

SECTION 905.

  Conformity With Trust Indenture Act.      40  

SECTION 906.

  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.      40  

SECTION 907.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents.      40  

SECTION 908.

  Modification Without Supplemental Indenture.      40  
ARTICLE TEN

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 1001.

  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.      41  

SECTION 1002.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency.      41  

SECTION 1003.

  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.      42  

SECTION 1004.

  Statement as to Compliance.      42  

SECTION 1005.

  Waiver of Certain Covenants.      43  

 

iii


ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1101.

  Applicability of Article.      43  

SECTION 1102.

  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.      43  

SECTION 1103.

  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.      43  

SECTION 1104.

  Notice of Redemption.      44  

SECTION 1105.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      44  

SECTION 1106.

  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.      45  

SECTION 1107.

  Securities Redeemed in Part.      45  
ARTICLE TWELVE

 

REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

SECTION 1201.

  Applicability of Article.      45  

SECTION 1202.

  Notice of Repayment Date.      45  

SECTION 1203.

  Securities Payable on Repayment Date.      46  

SECTION 1204.

  Securities Repaid in Part.      46  

 

iv


INDENTURE, dated as of August 21, 2023, between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wilmington Savings Fund Society (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debt securities (each, a “Security” or, collectively, the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101.    Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires;

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

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

(3)    all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4)    the word “or” is not exclusive; and

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

Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.

Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

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

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to a Depositary, as to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

 

1


Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, either the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person or any duly authorized committee of thereof.

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

Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location specified in the Securities or this Indenture, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment, such other location or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b).

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

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person has become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered and which at the date hereof is located at 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801, Attention: Corporate Trust – Nikola Corporation.

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of a Global Security, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company in Section 301(b) until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America that is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts at the time of payment.

Eligible Obligations” means U.S. Government Obligations.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

2


GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States at the date of any computation required or permitted hereunder or, at the election of the Company with respect to Securities of a series, at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture

Global Security” means a Security, if any, evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities established in accordance with Section 301.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

Holder” means, with respect to a Security, a Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

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

Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

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

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

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of, or counsel for, the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

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

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

(b)    Securities or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption money or Eligible Obligations (or any combination of money and Eligible Obligations) in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any other obligor on such Security) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or any other obligor on such

 

3


Security (if the Company or any other obligor on such Security acts as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c)    Securities as to which the Company has effected defeasance as provided in Section 402;

(d)    Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it and the Company that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date,

(i)     Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such obligor owns (x) all Securities Outstanding under this Indenture or (y) except for the purposes of actions to be taken by Holders of more than one series or Tranche voting as a class, all Outstanding Securities of each such series and each such Tranche, as the case may be, determined without regard to this clause) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities that the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor;

(ii)     in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of any series or Tranche have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, the principal amount of Original Issue Discount Securities that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502; and

(iii)     in the case of any Security the principal of that is payable from time to time without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Indenture shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of principal thereof theretofore paid.

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

Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time any or all of the specific terms of which Securities, including without limitation the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents from time to time subsequent to the initial request for the authentication and delivery of such Securities by the Trustee, all as contemplated in Sections 301 and 303.

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.

 

4


Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series or Tranche are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301(b).

Predecessor Security” means, with respect to any particular Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

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

Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Regular Record Date” means, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series, the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301(b).

Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security of any series to be repaid or repurchased, the date, if any, fixed for such repayment or for such repurchase (whether at the option of the Holders or otherwise) pursuant to this Indenture.

Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security of any series to be repaid, the price, if any, at which it is to be repaid pursuant to Section 301(b).

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee), including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasury, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers who at such time shall be such officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

series” or “series of Securities” means a series of Securities issued under this Indenture as determined by Board Resolution or as otherwise determined under this Indenture.

Special Record Date” means, for the payment of any Defaulted Interest, a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to a Security of a particular series or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

5


Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding total voting power ordinarily entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or other voting members of the governing body thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries or (b) any partnership the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or the only general partners of which are the Company or of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (or any combination thereof).

Tranche” means a group of Securities which (a) are of the same series and (b) have identical terms to other Tranches of such series except as to principal amount, date of issuance or first interest payment date, each of which may vary among Tranches of any one series.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have been appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

Trust Indenture Act” means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

U.S. Government Obligations” means (x) any security that is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America are pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and in either case is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the stated maturity of the applicable series of Securities, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation that is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Vice President” means, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

SECTION 102.    Compliance Certificates and Opinions. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b)    Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 1004) shall include:

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

 

6


(2)    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;

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

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

SECTION 103.    Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. (a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(b)    Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or representations by counsel. Any such certificate, statement or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company. Any certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

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

SECTION 104.    Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b)    The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner acceptable to the Trustee.

(c)    The principal amount (except as otherwise contemplated in clause (ii) of the proviso to the definition of “Outstanding”) and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

7


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

(e)    The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of any Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Section 512 or 513. Such record date shall be not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders of such Securities furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such solicitation.

(f)    If the Company solicits from Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date.

SECTION 105.    Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(a)    the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by delivery in person, first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or electronic delivery with receipt confirmed, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101, or

(b)    the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if given in writing (which may be by delivery in person, first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or electronic delivery with receipt confirmed, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery) to the Company addressed to it at 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer or at such other address furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company prior to such mailing. All notices and communications to the Trustee shall be deemed delivered upon receipt by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.

SECTION 106.    Notice to Holders; Waiver. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice of any event or reports to Holders, such notice or report shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or electronically in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary in the case of Global Securities, to each Holder of Securities affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register and to addresses filed with the Trustee or preserved on the Trustee’s list pursuant to Section 702(a) for other Holders (and to such other addressees as may be required in the case of such notice or report under Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act), not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice or report.

(b)    In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

 

8


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

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary.

SECTION 107.    Conflict With Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 108.    Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109.    Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110.    Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 111.    Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto (including any Paying Agent appointed pursuant to Section 1002 and Authenticating Agent appointed pursuant to Section 614 to the extent provided herein) and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 112.    Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York in the United States, but without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 113.    Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity of any Security is not a Business Day at any Place of Payment or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities, other than a provision in Securities of any series, or in the Board Resolution, Supplemental Indenture or Officer’s Certificate that establishes the terms of such Securities, that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, Repayment Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and such extension of time shall in such case be (1) excluded in the computation of interest, if any, accruing on such Security at a fixed rate and (2) included in the computation of interest, if any, accruing on such Security at a floating rate; provided, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest at a floating rate to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

SECTION 114.    Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders of one or more series. The Paying Agent or Security Registrar may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

9


SECTION 115.    No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee, as such, of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any successor entity shall have any liability for any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company under this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in the Securities, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations, covenants or agreements or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 116.    Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201.    Forms Generally. (a) The Securities of each series shall be in substantially such form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or to conform with general usage, all as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. If all of the Securities of any series established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver a record of such action at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but an appropriate record of such action shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

(b)    The definitive Securities shall be produced in such manner or combination of manners, all as determined by the Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

SECTION 202.    Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein, referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
as Trustee

By  

         

  Authorized Officer

 

10


ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301.    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. (a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

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

(1)    the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of any other series);

(2)    any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1204 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3)    the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, is payable or any formula or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension);

(4)    the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any), or any formula or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise; the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on such Securities on any Interest Payment Date; the right of the Company, if any, to extend or defer the interest payment periods and the duration of any such extension or deferral as contemplated by Section 312; and the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in Section 310;

(5)    the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, where the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration of transferor for exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served and notices to Holders pursuant to Section 106 will be published; the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series or Tranche; and if such is the case, that the principal of such Securities shall be payable without presentment or surrender thereof;

(6)    if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem such Securities shall be evidenced;

(7)    the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

11


(8)    the terms, if any, on which the Securities of such series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to other debt of the Company;

(9)    the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be issuable, if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

(10)    if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

(11)    if the principal of or any premium or interest on the Securities of such series is to be payable, or is to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the manner of determining such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

(12)    the Person to whom any interest on any Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary or permanent Global Security on an interest payment date will be paid;

(13)    any addition to or change in the Events of Default, with respect to the Securities of such series, and any addition to or change in the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series in addition to those set forth in Article Ten;

(14)    the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of such series may be converted into or exchanged for securities or other property of the Company or any other Person;

(15)    the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Company’s obligations under this Indenture may be terminated through the deposit of money or Eligible Instruments as provided in Article Four;

(16)    any exceptions to Section 113, or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Securities of such series;

(17)    any collateral security, assurance or guaranty for the Securities of such series;

(18)    the non-applicability of Section 608 to the Securities of such series or any exceptions or modifications of Section 608 with respect to the Securities of such series;

(19)    any rights or duties of another Person to assume the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities of such series (whether as joint obligor, primary obligor, secondary obligor or substitute obligor) and any rights or duties to discharge and release any obligor with respect to the Securities of such series or this Indenture to the extent related to such series; and

(20)    any other terms, conditions and rights of such series (which terms, conditions and rights shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(a)(4)).

(c)    All Securities of any one series (other than Securities offered in a Periodic Offering) shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and as reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Securities of different series may differ in any respect.

 

12


(d)    If the terms and form or forms of any series of Securities are established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall deliver a copy of such Board Resolution to the Trustee at or prior to the issuance of such series with (1) the form or forms of Security that have been approved attached thereto, or (2) if such Board Resolution authorizes a specific officer or officers to approve the terms and form or forms of the Securities, a certificate of such officer or officers approving the terms and form or forms of Security with such form or forms of Securities attached thereto. Such Board Resolution or certificate may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of any series and may provide that the specific terms of particular Securities of a series may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to the Company Order referred to in Section 303.

(e)    With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the indenture supplemental hereto or the Board Resolution that establishes such series, or the Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, as the case may be, may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated by Section 303(c).

(f)    Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to paragraph (2) of Section 301(b), such series of Securities may be issued in one or more Tranches with various principal amounts without the consent of any Holders and additional Tranches of such series may be authenticated and delivered pursuant to Section 303.

SECTION 302.    Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301(b). In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303.    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. (a) The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer by manual or facsimile signature. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

(b)    Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

(c)    At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series (or any Tranche thereof) executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (or such Tranche), and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities (or such Tranche); provided, however, that with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (i) such Company Order may be delivered by the Company to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (ii) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, all pursuant to a Company Order or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order, (iii) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by Company Order or pursuant to such procedures and (iv) if provided for in such procedures, 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.

(d)    In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

(i)    that such form of Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

13


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

(iii)    that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

(e)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraphs of Sections 303(c) and 303(d) in connection with a Periodic Offering, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officer’s Certificate or execute a supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 301(b) or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraphs at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

(f)    If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(g)    No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304.    Temporary Securities. (a) Until definitive Securities of any series (including Global Securities) are ready for delivery, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more temporary Securities that are produced in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

(b)    If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

SECTION 305.    Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

 

14


(b)    Except in the case of Securities issued in the form of a Global Security, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

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

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

(e)    Unless otherwise provided in a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution, or in an indenture supplemental hereto, with respect to Securities of any series, no service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1106 or 1204 not involving any transfer.

(f)    The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

SECTION 306.    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. (a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a replacement Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b)    If there has been delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such bond, 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 actual 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 deliver, a replacement Security of the same series (and Tranche, if applicable) and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(c)    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.

(d)    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.

(e)    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 is 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.

 

15


(f)    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 307.    Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. (a) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to the Securities of any series, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is payable.

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

(i)    The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

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

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

SECTION 308.    Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and any premium) and (subject to Section 301 and Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

16


Ownership of Securities of a series shall be proved by the computerized book-entry system of the Depositary in the case of Securities issued in the form of a Global Security.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

SECTION 309.    Cancellation. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not theretofore cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, the Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever or that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall provide it with a certificate of cancellation.

SECTION 310.    Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311.    Global Securities; Exchanges; Registration and Registration of Transfer. If specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, the Securities of such series may be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, which shall be deposited with the Depositary, and, unless otherwise specified in the form of Global Security adopted pursuant to Section 301, be registered in the name of the Depository’s nominee.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, any permanent Global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of interests in a permanent Global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301(b), then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such permanent Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent Global Security shall be surrendered from time to time in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depositary (which instructions shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) by the Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent Global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent Global Security to be exchanged, as shall be specified by the Depositary; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during the periods specified by Section 305.

The Global Security may be transferred to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected by the Company, and upon surrender for registration of transfer of the Global Security to the Trustee, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, a new Global Security in the same aggregate principal amount. If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor Depositary satisfactory to the Company is not appointed within 90 days after the Company receives such notice, the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, Securities in definitive form to the Depositary in exchange for the Global

 

17


Security. In addition, if at any time the Company determines that it is not in the best interest of the Company or the beneficial owners of Securities to continue to have a Global Security representing all of the Securities held by a Depositary, the Company may, at its option, execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, Securities in definitive form to the Depositary in exchange for all or a portion of the Global Security.

SECTION 312.    Extension of Interest Payment. The Company shall have the right at any time, so long as the Company is not in default in the payment of interest on the Securities of any series hereunder, to extend or defer interest payment periods on all Securities of one or more series, if so specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to such Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to such Securities. If the Company ever so extends or defers any such interest payment period, the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 401.    Termination of Companys Obligations. (a) This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company acknowledging termination of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such series and this Indenture, when

(1)    either

(A)    all Securities of such series previously authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities of such series that are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 402) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)    all such Securities of such series not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i)     have become due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity, early redemption or otherwise), or

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

(iii)    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,

and the Company in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series an amount in cash in Dollars, Eligible Obligations or any combination thereof, together (if necessary in the case of a series of Securities not bearing interest at a fixed rate) with any Hedging Obligation, so that such funds in each case are sufficient to pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, all Outstanding Securities of such series, together with instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(2)    the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

18


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

(b)    Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 405 and Section 1003(e) shall survive.

(c)    Upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in this Section 401, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company, subject to the claim provided by Section 607, any and all money, securities and other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities.

The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 402 or Section 403 applied to the Outstanding Securities of any series in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for such Securities.    

SECTION 402.    Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to all the Outstanding Securities of any series or Tranche, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 404 being satisfied, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on such Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche, shall be satisfied and discharged and shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall at Company Request execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

(a)    the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust funds described in Section 405, (x) payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series, or portions thereof, on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest to but excluding the Redemption Date designated by the Company pursuant to subparagraph (viii) of Section 404 and (y) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series or Tranche 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 or Tranche;

(b)    the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities of such series or Tranche under Sections 304, 305, 306, 614, 1002 and 1003 and, if the Company shall have designated a Redemption Date pursuant to subparagraph (x) of Section 404, Sections 1104 and 1106; and

(c)    the Company’s obligations with respect to the Trustee under Section 607.

SECTION 403.    Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to comply with its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 801, 1006 and 1007 with respect to any Security or Securities of any series (and in respect of any term, provision or condition set forth in the covenants or restrictions specified for such Securities pursuant to Section 301(b), in any supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate establishing such Security), and the failure to comply with any such provisions shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 501(4), provided that the conditions set forth in Section 404 have been satisfied.

SECTION 404.    Conditions to Defeasance. The following conditions shall be the conditions to the application of Section 402 and Section 403:

(i)    the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (x) cash in Dollars in an amount sufficient, or (y) Eligible Obligations

 

19


which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide on or before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this subparagraph (i) money in an amount sufficient or (z) a combination of such cash and Eligible Obligations, together (if necessary in the case of a series of Securities not bearing interest at a fixed rate) with any Hedging Obligation so that such funds are 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 (1) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or to but excluding the Redemption Date designated by the Company in accordance with Section 404(a)(1)(B)(iii) and (2) 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 of the Securities of such series;

(ii)    in the event of an election to have Section 402 apply, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y) there has been a change in law or regulation occurring after the date hereof, 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, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount 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;

(iii)    in the event of an election to have Section 403 apply, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and 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 defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

(iv)    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;

(v)    such provision would not cause any Outstanding Securities of such series then listed on a securities exchange to be delisted as a result thereof;

(vi)    no Event of Default or event that with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit;

(vii)    the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s 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;

(viii)    such deposit shall not, as specified in an Opinion of Counsel, cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series;

(ix)    the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s 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; and

(x)    if the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited money or Eligible Obligations to pay or discharge the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities of a series to but excluding a Redemption Date pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 404, such Redemption Date

 

20


shall be irrevocably designated by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee on or prior to the date of deposit of such money or Eligible Obligations, and such Board Resolution shall be accompanied by an irrevocable Company Request that the Trustee give notice of such redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to such Redemption Date in accordance with Section 1104.

SECTION 405.    Application of Trust Money. (a) Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the funds deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 401, 402 or 403, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of Section 606; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any cash received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations deposited with the Trustee, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable, be invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in Sections 401 and 402(d)(2)(A) maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and any premium and interest due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received by the Trustee, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the claim provided by Section 607; and provided, further, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any moneys held by the Trustee in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Securities shall be paid over to the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the claim provided by Section 607.

(b)    The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against Eligible Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401, 402 or 403 or the principal and any premium and interest 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 Eligible Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 401, 402 or 403 that, 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 that then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such Eligible Obligations or money was deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any Eligible Obligations held under this Indenture.

SECTION 406.    Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 402 or Section 403 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 405 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

SECTION 501.    Events of Default. “Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events, unless such event is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the applicable Board Resolution or supplemental indenture under which such series of Securities is issued, as the case may be, as contemplated by Section 301:

(1)    default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of the interest payment period by the Company as contemplated in Section 312 shall not constitute a failure to pay interest for this purpose; or

 

21


(2)    default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three Business Days; or

(3)    default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(4)    the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(5)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, or adjudicates the Company insolvent or bankrupt, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(6)    any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301(b).

SECTION 502.    Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) occurs, the principal of all the Securities then Outstanding (or if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holders of the Securities.

Except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301 for all or any specific Securities of any series, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of one or more series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Event or Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if

 

22


(1)    the Company has paid or deposited irrevocably with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A)    all overdue interest on all Securities of any such series,

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

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

(D)    all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607;

and

(2)    all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503.    Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. If an Event of Default described in clause (1) or (2) of Section 501 has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series with respect to which such Event of Default has occurred, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium or interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates borne by such Securities, unless another rate is provided in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee deems 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 504.    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,

(i)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and premium or 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 amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii)    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, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 607.

 

23


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.

SECTION 505.    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 amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506.    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 and any premium and interest, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money shall have been collected 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 and its agents and counsel under Section 607;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium 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 any premium and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any such payment to Holders of Securities.

SECTION 507.    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 such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

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

(2)    the Holders of not less than 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;

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

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

(5)    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 aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any

 

24


right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders (it being understood the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain or determine whether any action or inaction affects, disturbs or prejudices the rights of any Holder or seeks to obtain priority or preference over any Holder).

SECTION 508.    Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on the Repayment 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 509.    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 Trustee and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510.    Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511.    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.

SECTION 512.    Control by Holders. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of a series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that 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 or Tranche; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to more than one series of Securities of equal ranking, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series of equal ranking, considered as one class, shall have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series of equal ranking; provided, further that

(1)    such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2)    the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction,

(3)    subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

25


SECTION 513.    Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate 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; provided that if any such past default has occurred with respect to more than one series of Securities of equal ranking, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series of equal ranking, considered as one class, may make such waiver, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series of equal ranking, in each case, except a default

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

(2)    in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Section 902 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 514.    Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s 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 aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which such suit may be brought, considered as one class, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Repayment Date).

SECTION 515.    Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601.    Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series,

(1)    the Trustee undertakes to perform, with respect to Securities of such series, such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)    in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any facts, statements, opinions, conclusions or mathematical calculations stated therein).

 

26


(b)    If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise, with respect to Securities of such series, such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

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

(1)     this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of sub-section (a) of this Section;

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

(3)     the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any one or more series, as provided herein, 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; and

(4)     no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

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

(e)    The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

(f)    No provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Trustee to take or omit to take any action, or suffer any action to be taken or omitted, in performance of its duties or obligations under this Indenture, or to exercise any right or power hereunder, to the extent that taking or omitting to take such action or suffering such action to be taken or omitted would violate applicable law binding upon it.

SECTION 602.    Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 704(3) notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee as provide in Section 603(j), unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 75 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

 

27


SECTION 603.    Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 601 and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

(a)    the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties and the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated therein;

(b)    any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c)    whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel or both, and will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;

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

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

(f)    the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, 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 at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind solely by reason of such inquiry or investigation; and

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

(h)    the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s 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 Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(i)    the Trustee shall be entitled to the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article Six in acting as a Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder;

(j)    the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture;

 

28


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

(l)    the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(m)    the right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty;

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

(o)    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, (i) any act or provision of any future law or regulation or governmental authority, (ii) strikes, (iii) work stoppages, (iv) accidents, (v) acts of war or terrorism, (vi) civil or military disturbances, (vii) nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, (viii) disease, (ix) epidemic or pandemic, (x) quarantine, (xi) national emergency, (xii) interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, (xiii) communications system failure, (xiv) malware or ransomware, (xv) unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex system or other wire or other funds transfer systems, or (xvi) unavailability of any securities clearing system strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 604.    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities of any series. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605.    May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION 606.    Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee or by any Paying Agent (other than the Company if the Company shall act as Paying Agent) in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607.    Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees

(1)    to pay to the Trustee (in each of its capacities hereunder) from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2)    except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and

 

29


(3)    to indemnify, defend and protect each of the Trustee (in its individual capacity and Trustee capacities), any predecessor Trustee and their officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, claim, liability, damage, cost or expense (including taxes other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) and defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense that is the result of its negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable decision. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.

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

Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or Section 501(5), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section 607 shall survive the termination of this Indenture, any satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the Legal Defeasance of the Securities and resignation or removal of the Trustee.

SECTION 608.    Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series, it shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect, and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the equally ranked and unsecured Securities of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of the equally ranked and unsecured Securities of any other series under this Indenture.

SECTION 609.    Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and qualified and eligible under this Article, provided that, neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company or any obligor on the Securities may serve as Trustee of any Securities. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 610.    Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.

 

30


(b)    The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 has not been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(c)    The Company may at any time by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any or all series upon 30 days’ prior written notice.

(d)    The Trustee may be removed upon 30 days’ prior written notice with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(e)    If at any time:

(1)    the Trustee fails to comply with Section 608 with respect to the Securities of any series, after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(2)    the Trustee ceases to be eligible under Section 609 and fails to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(3)    the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property is appointed or any public officer takes charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder.

(f)    If the Trustee resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series is appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series has been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(g)    The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 704(3). Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

31


(h)    All provisions of this Section except subparagraph (d) and Section 611(b) (except for the last clause, after omitting the words “after deducting all amounts owed to the retiring Trustee pursuant to Section 607,” which shall apply) shall apply also to any Paying Agent located outside the United States and its possessions.

SECTION 611.    Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of all series, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b)    In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

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

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

SECTION 612.    Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any

 

32


Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

SECTION 613.    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

SECTION 614.    Appointment of Authenticating Agent. (a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may include any Person that owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock of the Trustee or a corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trustee or of such other Person) with respect to one or more series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series or Tranche issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority in the United States. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

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

(c)    An Authenticating Agent may resign with respect to one or more series of Securities at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent with respect to one or more series of Securities by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that is acceptable to the Company and shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series or Tranche with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section. An Authenticating Agent appointed pursuant to this Section shall be entitled to rely on Sections 111, 308, 604 and 605 hereunder.

(d)    The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.

 

33


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

This is one of the Securities of the series designated pursuant to and issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
    As Trustee
By  

                 

  As Authenticating Agent on behalf of the Trustee
By  

 

  Authorized Officer of Authenticating Agent

Dated:                    

(f)    If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, may be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701.    Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(a)    semi-annually, not later than the 5th day after each Regular Record Date for each series of Securities at the time Outstanding or on June 30 and December 31 of each year with respect to each series of Securities for which there are no Regular Record Dates, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, containing all the information in the possession or control of the Company, or any of its Paying Agents other than the Trustee, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series, including Holders of interests in Global Securities, as of such preceding Regular Record Date or on June 15 or December 15, as the case may be, or, in the case of a series of non-interest bearing Securities, on a date to be determined as contemplated pursuant to Section 301(b), and

(b)    at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.

 

34


SECTION 702.    Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar or Paying Agent. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)    If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either

(i)    afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a), or

(ii)    inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee elects not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee by the applicants of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, enters an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and enters an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender by such applicants; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c)    Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 702(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 702(b).

SECTION 703.    Reports by Trustee. (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

(b)    Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 1 in each calendar year, commencing with the first July 1 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture.

(c)    A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing when any Securities are listed on any securities exchange.

 

35


SECTION 704.    Reports by Company. The Company shall:

(1)    file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, 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 Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; and provided, however, that so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) or any successor system, such filings shall be deemed to have been filed with the Trustee for purposes hereof without any further action required by the Company;

(2)    file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3)    transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and to each Holder whose name and address is then preserved on the Trustee’s list pursuant to the first sentence of Section 702(a), within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

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 actual or 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 Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s or any other person’s compliance with any of the covenants under this Indenture, to determine whether such reports, information or documents are filed with the SEC (using the EDGAR filing system or any successor filing system of the SEC) or made publicly available on any website, to examine such reports, information, documents and other reports to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the information or the statements contained therein or to participate in any conference calls.

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

SECTION 801.    Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any other Person, unless:

(1)    either (x) the Company shall be the continuing entity or the successor Person (if other than the Company) or (y) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Outstanding Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

36


(2)    immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3)    the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company and neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.

SECTION 802.    Successor Substituted for the Company. Upon any consolidation or merger or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such 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, in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety, such conveyance, transfer or lease shall have the effect of releasing the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Person that shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article from its liability as obligor and maker on any of the Securities.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901.    Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1)    to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or

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

(3)    to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities Outstanding hereunder; or

(4)    to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, or to add any new provision to this Indenture, in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security Outstanding with respect to such provision in effect prior to the date of such indenture supplemental hereto or (B) shall become effective only when no Security of such series remains Outstanding; or

(5)    to add guarantees or collateral security with respect to the Securities of any series; or

 

37


(6)    to establish for the issuance of and establish the form or terms and conditions of Securities of any series or Tranche thereof as permitted by Section 301(b), and to establish the form of any certificates required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities; or

(7)    to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of all, or any series or Tranche of, certificated Securities; or

(8)    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee or co-trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or

(9)    to change any place or places where (a) the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (b) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration or transfer, (c) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for exchange and (d) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served;

(10)    to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranche or any other series of Securities in any material respect;

(11)    to comply with the Applicable Procedures of any applicable Depositary;

(12)    to comply with the rules or regulations of any applicable securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;

(13)    subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series;

(14)    (i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or (ii) to conform the terms of any series of Securities, or Tranche thereof, to the description thereof in the prospectus and prospectus supplement (or similar offering document) offering such series of Securities, or Tranche thereof; or

(15)    to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities of any series or Tranche Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture or at any time thereafter becomes amended and

(x)    if any such amendment requires one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or by operation of law is deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or additional provisions; or

(y)    if any such amendment permits one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof that, at the date hereof or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein (or if it is no longer required by the Trust Indenture Act for the Indenture to contain one or more provisions), this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to evidence such amendment hereof; or

 

38


(z)    if, by reason of any such amendment, it shall be no longer necessary for this Indenture to contain one or more provisions that, at the date of the execution and delivery hereof, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein, the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect the elimination of such provisions.

SECTION 902.    Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (b) below, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected (voting as one class) by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such series), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that if there are Securities of more than one series of equal ranking Outstanding hereunder and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required.

(b)    No such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of the series affected thereby,

(1)    change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount or premium, if any, thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the method of calculating the rate of interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the coin or currency (or other property) in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders, on or after the Repayment Date), or modify any provisions of this Indenture with respect to the conversion or exchange of the Securities into Securities of another series or into any other debt or equity securities in a manner adverse to the Holders, or

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

(3)    modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1008, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1008, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611(b) and 901(8).

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

 

39


It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. A waiver by a Holder of such Holder’s rights to consent under this Section shall be deemed to be a consent of such Holder.

SECTION 903.    Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904.    Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. Any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article may restate this Indenture in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Indenture as theretofore in effect for all purposes.

SECTION 905.    Conformity With Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION 906.    Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company so determines, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche.

SECTION 907.    Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment or 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 on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have consented to the amendment or waiver. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or waiver.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.

After an amendment or waiver becomes effective it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (3) of Section 902(c). In such case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

SECTION 908.    Modification Without Supplemental Indenture. If the terms of any particular series of Securities have been established in a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate as contemplated by Section 301, and not in an indenture supplemental hereto, additions to, changes in or the elimination of any of such

 

40


terms may be effected by means of a supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, as the case may be, delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee; provided, however, that such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall not be accepted by the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this Indenture that would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or elimination were contained in a supplemental indenture shall have been appropriately satisfied. Upon the acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall be deemed to be a “supplemental indenture” for purposes of Sections 904 and 906.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

SECTION 1001.    Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. (a) Subject to the following provisions, the Company will pay to the Trustee the amounts, in such coin or currency as is at the time legal tender for the payment of public or private debt, in the manner, at the times and for the purposes set forth herein and in the text of the Securities for each series, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Trustee from funds so paid to it to make or cause to be made payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of each series as set forth herein and in the text of such Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, the Trustee will arrange directly with any Paying Agents for the payment, or the Trustee will make payment, from funds furnished by the Company, of the principal of and any premium and interest, on the Securities of each series by check or draft.

(b)    Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, interest, if any, on Securities of a series shall be paid by check or draft on each Interest Payment Date for such series to the Holder thereof at the close of business on the Regular Record Date specified in the Securities of such series; provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is payable. The Company may pay such interest by check or draft mailed to such Holder’s address as it appears on the register for Securities of such series. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, principal of Securities shall be payable by check or draft and only against presentation and surrender of such Securities at the office of the Paying Agent, unless the Company shall have otherwise instructed the Trustee in writing.

(c)    At the election of the Company, any payments by the Company provided for in this Indenture or in any of the Securities may be made by electronic funds transfer.

SECTION 1002.    Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, an office or agency where Securities, or any Tranche thereof, of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and a Place of Payment where (subject to Sections 305 and 307) Securities may be presented for payment or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Security Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-Security Registrars acceptable to the Trustee and one or more additional Paying Agents for each series of Securities, and the Company may terminate the appointment of any co-Security Registrar or Paying Agent at any time upon written notice. The term “Security Registrar” includes any co-Security Registrar. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. Subject to Section 305, if the Company fails to maintain a Security Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(b)    The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any

 

41


manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment 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 location of any such other office or agency.

(c)    Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency required by this Section may be maintained at any office of the Company in which event the Company shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or agency.

SECTION 1003.    Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. (a) If the Company at any time acts as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums are paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(b)    Whenever the Company has one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to (and if on, then before 11:00 a.m. (New York City time)) each due date of the principal of and any premium or interest on such Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient (in immediately available funds, if payment is made on the due date) to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest as provided in the Trust Indenture Act and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

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

(i)    comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and

(ii)    during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series

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

(e)    Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or received by the Trustee in respect of Eligible Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 404, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years (or such shorter period for the return of such funds to the Company under applicable abandoned property laws) after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 1004.    Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 102, signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the

 

42


principal accounting officer of the Company stating, as to each signer thereof stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

SECTION 1005.    Waiver of Certain Covenants. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (i) any additional covenants or restrictions specified with respect to the Securities of any series as contemplated by Section 301 if before the time for such compliance the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount (or such larger proportion as may be required in respect of waiving a past default of any such additional covenant or restriction) of the Outstanding Securities of all series of equal ranking with respect to which such covenant or restriction was so specified, considered as one class, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition and (ii) Sections 1002 and 1004 and Article Eight if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of Securities of all series of equal ranking Outstanding under this Indenture by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; but, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) of this Section, no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver becomes effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101.    Applicability of Article. Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity (or, if the principal of the Securities of any series is payable in installments, the Stated Maturity of the final installment of the principal thereof) shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102.    Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice is satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

SECTION 1103.    Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, (a) if the Securities are listed on an exchange, in compliance with the requirements of such exchange or (b) on a pro rata basis (or in the case of global Securities, by such method as required by the Depository) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

43


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

SECTION 1104.    Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, notice of redemption shall be given by electronic transmission or first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities and state:

(1)    the Redemption Date,

(2)    the Redemption Price, or the formula pursuant to which the Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time notice is given,

(3)    if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and the portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part and, in the case of any such Security of such series to be redeemed in part, that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the remaining unpaid principal amount thereof will be issued as provided in Section 1106,

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

(5)    the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

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

(7)    the CUSIP, “ISIN” or similar number(s), if any, assigned to such Securities; provided however, that such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of CUSIP, “ISIN” or similar number(s), and the redemption of such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such number(s),

(8)     any conditions precedent to such redemption, and

(9)    such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 5 Business Days before the date of giving the notice of redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as required by this Section 1104.

SECTION 1105.    Deposit of Redemption Price

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

44


SECTION 1106.    Securities Payable on Redemption Date. (a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities, or portions thereof, if interest-bearing, shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security or portion thereof, if any, shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307; provided, further, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant Regular Record Date.

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

SECTION 1107.    Securities Redeemed in Part. Any physical Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, and of like tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE

REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 1201.    Applicability of Article. Securities of any series that are repayable before their Stated Maturity at the option of the Holders shall be repayable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1202.    Notice of Repayment Date. Notice of any Repayment Date with respect to Securities of any series shall be given by the Company not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to such Repayment Date (or at such other times as may be specified for such repayment or repurchase pursuant to Section 301) to each Holder of Securities of such series in accordance with Section 106 (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series).

The notice as to the Repayment Date shall state (unless otherwise specified for such repayment or repurchase pursuant to Section 301):

(1)    the Repayment Date;

(2)    the principal amount of the Securities required to be repaid or repurchased and the Repayment Price (or the formula pursuant to which the Repayment Price is to be determined if the Repayment Price cannot be determined at the time the notice is given);

(3)    the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Repayment Price, and accrued interest, if any, and the date by which Securities must be so surrendered in order to be repaid or repurchased;

 

45


(4)    that any Security not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(5)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, Securities accepted for payment pursuant to any such offer of repayment or repurchase shall cease to accrue interest after the Repayment Date;

(6)    that Holders electing to have a Security repaid or purchased pursuant to such offer may elect to have all or any portion of such Security purchased;

(7)    that Holders electing to have a Security repaid or repurchased pursuant to any such offer shall be required to surrender the Security, with such customary documents of surrender and transfer as the Company may reasonably request, duly completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company or the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days prior to the Repayment Date;

(8)    that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the offer to repay or repurchase, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Security purchased;

(9)    that, in the case of a repayment or repurchase of less than all Outstanding Securities of a series, the method of selection of Securities to be repaid or repurchased to be applied by the Trustee if the principal amount of properly tendered Securities exceeds the principal amount of the Securities to be repaid or repurchased;

(10)    that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new Securities of the same series equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer); and

(11)    the CUSIP or other identification number, if any, printed on the Securities being repurchased and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or other identification number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

SECTION 1203.    Securities Payable on Repayment Date. The form of option to elect repurchase or repayment having been delivered as specified in the form of Security for such series, the Securities of such series so to be repaid (after application of the method of selection described pursuant to clause (9) of Section 1202, if the principal amount of properly tendered Securities exceeds the principal amount of the Securities to be repaid or repurchased) shall, on the Repayment Date, become due and payable at the Repayment Price applicable thereto and from and after such date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Repayment Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Repayment Price together with accrued interest, if any, to but excluding the Repayment Date; provided, however, that if a Security is repaid or repurchased on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Stated Maturity of any installments of interest, then any accrued and unpaid interest due on such Stated Maturity shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security is not paid upon surrender thereof for repayment, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate prescribed therefor in such Security.

SECTION 1204.    Securities Repaid in Part. Any Security that by its terms may be repaid in part at the option of the Holder and that is to be repaid only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due

 

46


endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, as provided in Section 305, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unrepaid portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

 

 

47


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

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By  

/s/ Anastasiya Pasterick

Name:   Anastasiya Pasterick
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
By  

/s/ Patrick J. Healy

Name:   Patrick J. Healy
Title:   Senior Vice President

Signature Page to Indenture


Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

TO

 

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO

INDENTURE DATED AUGUST 21, 2023

Dated as of AUGUST 21, 2023

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Trustee

 

 

Series A-1 Senior Convertible Note Due 2024

 

 

 


NIKOLA CORPORATION

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO

INDENTURE DATED AUGUST 21, 2023

Series A-1 Senior Convertible Note Due 2024

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of August 21, 2023 (this “FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE”), between NIKOLA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS

A.     The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 on April 1, 2022 (File Number 333-264068) (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC on April 14, 2022.

B.    The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of August 21, 2023, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of Securities (as defined in the Indenture) by the Company.

C. The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

D.    Sections 201 and 301 of the Indenture provides for various matters with respect to any series of Securities (as defined in the Indenture) issued under the Indenture to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

E.    Section 901 of the Indenture provides that, without the consent of the Holders, for the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as provided by Sections 201 and 301 of the Indenture.

F.    In accordance with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 21, 2023 (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and the investors party thereto (the “Investors”), at the Initial Closing (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), the Company has agreed to sell to the Investors, and the Investors have agreed to purchase from the Company, $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes (as defined below), subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, in each case, pursuant to (i) the Indenture, (ii) this First Supplemental Indenture, (iii) the Securities Purchase Agreement and (iv) the Registration Statement.


G.    The Company hereby desires to supplement the Indenture pursuant to this First Supplemental Indenture to set forth the terms and conditions of the Notes to be issued in accordance herewith.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows:

ARTICLE I

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.    RELATION TO INDENTURE. This First Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

Section 1.2.    DEFINITIONS. For all purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture:

(a)    Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture or in the Notes, as applicable;

(b)    All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this First Supplemental Indenture; and

(c)    The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE II

THE SERIES OF SECURITIES

Section 2.1.    TITLE. There shall be a series of Securities designated the “Series A-1 Senior Convertible Notes Due 2024” (the “Notes”).

Section 2.2.    LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be sold pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and to be issued pursuant to this First Supplemental Indenture on the date hereof shall be $125,000,000.

Section 2.3.    PRINCIPAL PAYMENT DATE. The principal amount of the Notes outstanding (together with any accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts) shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Notes on each Conversion Date, Alternate Conversion Date, Redemption Date and on the Maturity Date, in each case as defined in the Notes.

Section 2.4.    INTEREST AND INTEREST RATES. Interest shall accrue and shall be payable at such times and in the manner set forth in the Notes.


Section 2.5.    PLACE OF PAYMENT. Except as otherwise provided by the Notes, the place of payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (to the extent required or permitted, as applicable, by the terms of the Notes) and where notices and demand to or upon the Trustee in respect of the Notes and the Indenture may be served shall be: 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801, Attn.: Corporate Trust - Nikola Corporation; Telephone: (302) 888-7420; Facsimile: (302) 421-9137; Email:                 .

Section 2.6.    REDEMPTION. The Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at such times and in the manner set forth in the Notes.

Section 2.7.    DENOMINATION. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

Section 2.8.    CURRENCY. Principal and interest and any other amounts payable, from time to time, on the Notes shall be payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts in accordance with Section 23(b) of the Notes.

Section 2.9.    FORM OF SECURITIES. The Notes shall be issued in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Exhibit A also includes the form of Trustee’s certificate of authentication for the Notes. The Company has elected to issue only Definitive Securities and shall not issue any Global Securities hereunder.

Section 2.10.    CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Notes are convertible into shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Notes) of the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notes and all references to “Common Stock” in the Indenture shall be deemed to be references to Common Stock for all purposes thereunder. In connection with any conversion of any given Note into Common Stock, the Trustee may rely conclusively, without any independent investigation, on any Conversion Notice (as defined in the Notes) and/or Remainder Conversion Notice (as defined in the Notes) executed by the applicable Holder of such Note and an Acknowledgement (as defined in the Notes) signed by the Company (in each case, in the forms attached as Exhibits I and II to the Note), in lieu of the Company’s obligations to deliver an Officer’s Certificate, Company Order or an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 102, Article Two, Article Three or Section 603 of the Indenture in connection with any conversion of any Note. The applicable Conversion Notice, Remainder Conversion Notice and/or Acknowledgement (unless subsequently revoked or withdrawn) shall be deemed to be a joint instruction by the Company and such Holder to the Trustee to record on the register of the Notes such conversion and decrease in the principal amount of such Note by such aggregate principal amount of the Note converted, in each case, as set forth in such applicable Conversion Notice, Remainder Conversion Notice and/or Acknowledgement.

Section 2.11.    REGISTRAR. The Trustee shall only serve initially as the Security Registrar and not as a paying agent and, in such capacity, shall maintain a register (the “Security Register”) in which the Trustee shall register the Notes and transfers of the Notes. The entries in the Security Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The initial Security Register shall be created by the Trustee in connection with the authentication of the


initial Notes in the names and amounts detailed in the related Company Order. No Note may be transferred or exchanged except in compliance with the authentication procedures of the Trustee in accordance with this First Supplemental Indenture. The Trustee shall not register a transfer, exchange, redemption, conversion, cancellation or any other action with respect to a Note unless instructed to do so in an Officer’s Certificate, Company Order, Conversion Notice, Remainder Conversion Notice and/or Acknowledgement, as applicable. Each Officer’s Certificate, Company Order, Conversion Notice, Remainder Conversion Notice and/or Acknowledgement, as applicable, given to the Trustee in accordance with this Section 2.11 shall constitute a representation and warranty to the Trustee that the Trustee shall be fully indemnified in connection with any liability arising out of or related to any action taken by the Trustee in good faith reliance on such Officer’s Certificate, Company Order, Conversion Notice, Remainder Conversion Notice and/or Acknowledgement, as applicable.

Section 2.12.    SINKING FUND OBLIGATIONS. The Company has no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous requirement or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof.

Section 2.13.    NO PAYING AGENT. The Company is not required to appoint and has not appointed any Paying Agent in respect of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture and all amounts payable, from time to time, pursuant to the Notes shall, for so long as so long as no Paying Agent has been appointed, be paid directly by the Company to the applicable Holder.

Section 2.14.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The Company has elected that the provisions of Section 4 of the Notes shall govern all Events of Default in lieu of Section 501 of the Indenture.

Section 2.15.    EXCLUDED DEFINITIONS. The Company has elected that none of the following definitions in the Indenture shall be applicable to the Notes and any analogous definitions set forth in the Notes shall govern in lieu thereof:

 

   

Definition of “Affiliate” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Business Day” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Event of Default” in Section 501;

 

   

Definition of “Maturity” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Person” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Regular Record Date” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Redemption Date” in Section 101;

 

   

Definition of “Redemption Price” in Section 101; and

 

   

Definition of “Subsidiary” in Section 101.


Section 2.16.    EXCLUDED PROVISIONS. The Company has elected that none of the following provisions of the Indenture shall be applicable to the Notes and any analogous provisions (including definitions related thereto) of this First Supplemental Indenture and/or the Notes shall govern in lieu thereof:

 

   

Section 106 (Notice to Holders; Waiver)

 

   

Section 110 (Separability Clause)

 

   

Section 111 (Benefits of Indenture)

 

   

Section 112 (Governing Law)

 

   

Section 113 (Legal Holidays)

 

   

Section 114 (Rules by Trustee and Agents)

 

   

Section 115 (No Recourse Against Others)

 

   

Section 305 (Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange)

 

   

Section 306 (Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities)

 

   

Section 307 (Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved)

 

   

Section 309 (Cancellation)

 

   

Section 310 (Computation of Interest)

 

   

Section 311 (Global Securities; Exchanges; Registration and Registration of Transfer)

 

   

Section 312 (Extension of Interest Payment)

 

   

Article Four (Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance)

 

   

Article Five (Remedies)

 

   

Article Eight (Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer)

 

   

Section 901 (Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders)

 

   

Section 908 (Modification Without Supplemental Indenture)

 

   

Section 1005 (Waiver of Certain Covenants)

 

   

Article Eleven (Redemption of Securities)

 

   

Article Twelve (Repayment of Securities at Option of Holders)


Section 2.17.    COVENANTS. In addition to any covenants set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, the Company shall comply with the additional covenants set forth in Section 13 of the Notes.

Section 2.18.    IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FUNDS. All cash payments of principal and interest shall be made in U.S. dollars and immediately available funds.

Section 2.19.    TRUSTEE MATTERS.

(a)    Duties of Trustee. Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the contrary:

(i)     the sole duty of the Trustee is to act as the Registrar unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Holders (as defined in the Notes), the Trustee and the Company in an additional supplemental Indenture (other than this First Supplemental Indenture) or as separately agreed to in a writing by the Trustee and the Required Holders;

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

(iii)    the Trustee has no duty to make any calculations called for under the Notes, and shall be protected in conclusively relying without liability upon an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto without independent verification;

(iv)    for the protection and enforcement of the provisions of the Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given at either law or equity;

(v)    in the event that the Holders of the Notes have waived any Event of Default with respect to this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes hereunder and the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default to impair any right consequent thereon;

(vi)    the Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of the Notes, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for the failure by the Company to comply with any provisions of the Notes;

(vii)    the Trustee will not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Price (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment to the Conversion Price, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in the Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture, in any supplemental indenture or the Notes provided to be employed, in making the same;


(viii)    the Trustee will not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, cash or other property that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee makes any representations with respect thereto; and

(ix)    the Trustee will not be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities, cash or other property upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company with respect thereto.

(b)    Additional Indemnification. In addition to any indemnification rights set forth in the Indenture, the Company agrees the Trustee may retain one separate counsel on behalf of itself and the Holders (and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional separate counsel on behalf of the Holders) and, if deemed advisable by such counsel, local counsel, and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel and local counsel.

(c)    Successor Trustee Petition Right. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 610 or 611 of the Indenture has not been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of removal, the Trustee being removed, at the expense of the Company, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

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

(e)    Reports by the Company. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that delivery of such reports, information, and documents to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of Section 704 of the Indenture is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or 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 Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s or any other Person’s compliance with any of the covenants under the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, to determine whether such reports, information or documents are available on the SEC’s website (including the EDGAR system or any successor system,) the Company’s website or otherwise, to examine such reports, information, documents and other reports to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, or to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the information or the statements contained therein.


(f)    Statements by Officers as to Default. In addition to the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture, the Company agrees as follows:

(i)    Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which the Notes remain outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (one of which Officers signatory thereto shall be the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer of the Company) as to the knowledge of such Officers of the Company’s compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes and, if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying all such Events of Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such Officers have knowledge.

(ii)    The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Events of Default, its status and the actions that the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

(g)    Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and perform such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture.

(h)    Expense. Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the contrary, any actions taken by the Trustee in any capacity shall be at the Company’s reasonable expense.

Section 2.20.    SATISFACTION; DISCHARGE. The Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect with respect to the Notes (except as to any surviving rights expressly provided for herein and in the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes, when all outstanding amounts under the Notes shall have been paid in full (and/or converted into shares of Common Stock or other securities in accordance therewith) and no other obligations remain outstanding pursuant to the terms of the Notes, this First Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and/or the other Transaction Documents, as applicable, which have not been paid in full by the Company, and when the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 of the Indenture shall survive.

Section 2.21.     CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS. The Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law. Subject to the provisions of Section 601 of the


Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Notes may be amended, modified or waived, as applicable, in accordance with Section 15 of the Notes. Upon any waiver of any term of the Notes, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

ARTICLE III

EXPENSES

Section 3.1.    PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Notes, the Company, in its capacity as issuer of the Notes, shall pay all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and issuance of the Notes and compensation and expenses of the Trustee under the Indenture in accordance with the provisions of Section 607 of the Indenture.

Section 3.2.    PAYMENT UPON RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL. Upon termination of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or the removal or resignation of the Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket amounts, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 4.1.    TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS. The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Section 4.2.    ADOPTION, RATIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION. The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.

Section 4.3.    CONFLICT WITH INDENTURE; TRUST INDENTURE ACT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, if any conflict arises between the terms and conditions of this First Supplemental Indenture (including, without limitation, the terms and conditions of the Notes) and the Indenture, the terms and conditions of this First Supplemental Indenture (including the Notes) shall control; provided, however, that if any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required thereunder to be a part of and govern this First Supplemental Indenture, the latter provisions shall control. If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provisions shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.


Section 4.4.    AMENDMENTS; WAIVER. This First Supplemental Indenture may be amended by the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders (as defined in the Notes); provided however, no amendment shall adversely impact the rights, duties, immunities or liabilities of the Trustee without its prior written consent. No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

Section 4.5.    SUCCESSORS. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any purchasers of the Notes.

Section 4.6.    SEVERABILITY; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this First Supplemental Indenture in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture in any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.7.    The Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture, the Transaction Documents and the exhibits hereto and thereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to this transaction and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written.

Section 4.8.    COUNTERPARTS. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 4.9.    GOVERNING LAW. This First Supplemental Indenture and the Indenture shall each be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Except as otherwise required by Section 22 of the Notes, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The Borough of Manhattan, New York, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein (i) shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor


of such Holder or (ii) shall limit, or shall be deemed or construed to limit, any provision of Section 22 of the Notes. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 4.10.    U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Supplemental Indenture agree that they shall provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

[The remainder of the page is intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed on the date or dates indicated in the acknowledgments and as of the day and year first above written.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Anastasiya Pasterick

Name:

 

Anastasiya Pasterick

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer


WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND
SOCIETY, FSB, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Patrick J. Healy

Name:   Patrick J. Healy
Title:   Senior Vice President


EXHIBIT A

(FORM OF NOTE)

[FORM OF SERIES [A-1][A-2][A-3] SENIOR CONVERTIBLE NOTE]

THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE AND, ACCORDINGLY, THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS SET FORTH ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 3(c)(iii) OF THIS NOTE.

NIKOLA CORPORATION

SERIES [A-1][A-2][A-3] SENIOR CONVERTIBLE NOTE DUE [2024][2025]

 

Issuance Date: [●] 20        Original Principal Amount: U.S. $[●]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to [BUYER] or its registered assigns (“Holder”) the amount set forth above as the Original Principal Amount (as reduced pursuant to the terms hereof pursuant to redemption, conversion or otherwise, the “Principal”) when due, whether upon the Maturity Date, or upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof) and to pay interest (“Interest”) on any outstanding Principal at the applicable Interest Rate (as defined below) from the date set forth above as the Issuance Date (the “Issuance Date”) until the same becomes due and payable, whether upon the Maturity Date or upon acceleration, conversion, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof). This Series [A-1][A-2][A-3] Senior Convertible Note Due [2024][2025] (including all Senior Convertible Notes issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this “Note”) is one of an issue of Senior Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Notes”, and such other Senior Convertible Notes, the “Other Notes”) issued pursuant to (i) Section 1 of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2023 (the “Subscription Date”), by and among the Company and the investors (the “Buyers”) referred to therein, as amended from time to time (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), (ii) the Indenture, (iii) a Supplemental Indenture, and (iv) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File number 333-264068 ) (the “Registration Statement”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 31.

1.    PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL. On the Maturity Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder an amount in cash representing all outstanding Principal, accrued and unpaid Interest on such outstanding Principal and accrued and unpaid Late Charges (as defined in Section 23(c)) on such Principal and Interest. Other than as specifically permitted or required by this Note, the Company may not prepay any portion of the outstanding Principal, Make-Whole Amount, accrued and unpaid Interest or accrued and unpaid Late Charges on Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest, if any. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any conversion or redemption hereunder, as applicable, the Company shall convert or redeem, as applicable, First, all accrued and unpaid Late Charges on any Principal and Interest hereunder and under any other Notes held by the Holder and all other amounts owed to the Holder under any other Transaction Document (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement),


Second, all accrued and unpaid Interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, hereunder and under any Other Notes held by such Holder, Third, all other amounts (other than Principal) outstanding under any Other Notes held by such Holder and, Fourth, all Principal outstanding hereunder and under any Other Notes held by such Holder, in each case, allocated pro rata among this Note and such Other Notes held by such Holder.

2.    INTEREST; INTEREST RATE.

(a)    Interest on this Note shall commence accruing on the Issuance Date and shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and shall be payable in arrears on the first calendar day of each calendar quarter (each, an “Interest Date”) with the first Interest Date being January 1, 2024. Interest shall be payable on each Interest Date, to the record holder of this Note on the applicable Interest Date, in shares of Common Stock (“Interest Shares”) so long as there has been no Equity Conditions Failure; provided, however, that the Company may, at its option following notice to the Holder, pay Interest on any Interest Date in cash (“Cash Interest”) or in a combination of Cash Interest and Interest Shares. The Company shall deliver a written notice (each, an “Interest Election Notice”) to each holder of the Notes on or prior to the tenth (10th) Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Interest Date (each, an “Interest Notice Due Date”) (the date such notice is delivered to all of the holder, the “Interest Notice Date”) which notice (i) either (A) confirms that Interest to be paid on such Interest Date shall be paid entirely in Interest Shares or (B) elects to pay Interest as Cash Interest or a combination of Cash Interest and Interest Shares and specifies the amount of Interest that shall be paid as Cash Interest and the amount of Interest, if any, that shall be paid in Interest Shares and (ii) if such Interest payment includes Interest Shares, certifies that there has been no Equity Conditions Failure as of the Interest Notice Date; provided, however, that the Company shall be deemed to have certified that no Equity Conditions Failure exists if the Company does not deliver any notice to the contrary. If an Equity Conditions Failure has occurred as of the Interest Notice Date, then unless the Company has elected to pay such Interest as Cash Interest, the Interest Election Notice shall indicate that unless the Holder waives the Equity Conditions Failure, the Interest shall be paid as Cash Interest. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if no Equity Conditions Failure has occurred as of the Interest Notice Date but an Equity Conditions Failure subsequently occurs at any time prior to the applicable Interest Date, (A) the Company shall provide the Holder a subsequent notice to that effect and (B) unless the Holder waives the Equity Conditions Failure, the Interest shall be paid in cash. Interest to be paid on an Interest Date in Interest Shares shall be paid in a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares (rounded to the nearest whole share in accordance with Section 3(a)) of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) the amount of Interest payable on such Interest Date less any Cash Interest paid and (2) the Interest Conversion Price in effect on the applicable Interest Date.

(b)    When any Interest Shares are to be paid on an Interest Date, the Company shall (A) provided that the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”), credit such aggregate number of Interest Shares to which the Holder shall be entitled to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at

 

2


Custodian system, or (B) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, issue and deliver on the applicable Interest Date, to the address set forth in the register maintained by the Company for such purpose pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement or to such address as specified by the Holder in writing to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Date, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Interest Shares to which the Holder shall be entitled. Any Cash Interest payable on an Interest Date shall be paid to the Holder in accordance with Section 23(c).

(c)    Prior to the payment of Interest on an Interest Date, Interest on this Note shall accrue at the Interest Rate and be payable by way of inclusion of the Interest in the Conversion Amount on each Conversion Date in accordance with Section 3(b)(i) or upon any redemption in accordance with Section 10 or any required payment upon any Bankruptcy Event of Default. From and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Interest Rate in effect with respect to such determination shall automatically be increased to twelve and a half percent (12.5%) per annum (the “Default Rate”). In the event that such Event of Default is subsequently cured (and no other Event of Default then exists, including, without limitation, for the Company’s failure to pay such Interest at the Default Rate on the applicable Interest Date), the adjustment referred to in the preceding sentence shall cease to be effective as of the calendar day immediately following the date of such cure; provided that the Interest as calculated and unpaid at such increased rate during the continuance of such Event of Default shall continue to apply to the extent relating to the days after the occurrence of such Event of Default through and including the date of such cure of such Event of Default.

3.    CONVERSION OF NOTES. At any time after the Issuance Date, this Note shall be convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as defined below), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 3.

(a)    Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 3(d), at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, the Holder shall be entitled to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount (as defined below) into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 3(c), at the Conversion Rate (as defined below). The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent (as defined below)) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of any Conversion Amount.

(b)    Conversion Rate. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount pursuant to Section 3(a) shall be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”).

 

3


(c)    Mechanics of Conversion.

(i)    Optional Conversion. To convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock on any date (a “Conversion Date”), the Holder shall deliver (whether via electronic mail or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (each, a “Conversion Notice”) to the Company and the Trustee. If required by Section 3(c)(iii), within two (2) Trading Days following a conversion of this Note as aforesaid, the Holder shall surrender this Note to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to this Note in the case of its loss, theft or destruction as contemplated by Section 17(b)). On or before the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by electronic mail an acknowledgment, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, of confirmation of receipt of such Conversion Notice (each, an “Initial Acknowledgement”) to the Holder, the Trustee and the Transfer Agent which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms herein. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received a Conversion Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the applicable Conversion Date of such shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such Conversion Notice) (each, an “Initial Share Delivery Deadline”), whether or not the Company shall have delivered an Acknowledgment with respect thereto, the Company shall (1) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) the applicable Conversion Amount, divided by (y) the applicable Conversion Base Price then in effect (each, a “Base Conversion Share”) to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system or (2) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, upon the request of the Holder, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in the Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for such Base Conversion Shares. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the end of the Conversion Measuring Period, if the Holder has not elected in such Conversion Notice to waive the right to make a Remainder Eligible Election with respect to such Conversion Notice, the Holder shall deliver a written notice to the Company, the Trustee and the Transfer Agent with respect to the remaining shares of Common Stock, if any, to be issued to the Holder in such conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit III (each, a “Remainder Conversion Notice”). On or before the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Remainder Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by electronic mail an acknowledgment, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit IV, of confirmation of receipt of such Conversion Notice (each, an “Additional Acknowledgement”, and together with each Initial Acknowledgement, each an “Acknowledgment”) to the Holder, the Trustee and the Transfer Agent which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms herein. On or prior to the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the

 

4


Company has received a Remainder Conversion Notice (each, an “Additional Share Delivery Deadline”, and together with each Initial Share Delivery Deadline, each a “Share Delivery Deadline”), the Company shall deliver to the Holder such number of additional shares of Common Stock, if any, equal to the difference of (I) the quotient of (x) the applicable Conversion Amount, divided by (y) the applicable Conversion Price less (II) the aggregate number of applicable Base Conversion Shares with respect thereto (each, a “Remaining Conversion Share”); provided, that in the event of the Conversion Price Floor Condition, on or prior to the fourth (4th) Trading Day after applicable Conversion Date (or, if later, the applicable Additional Share Delivery Deadline, if any), the Company shall also deliver to the Holder the applicable Conversion Floor Amount (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any cash payment with respect to any Exchange Cap Shares (as defined below) and shall not be in duplication of any Exchange Cap Amount (as defined below)). If this Note is physically surrendered for conversion pursuant to Section 3(c)(iii) and the outstanding Principal of this Note is greater than the Principal portion of the Conversion Amount being converted, then the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after receipt of this Note and at its own expense, issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)) representing the outstanding Principal (and accrued and unpaid Interest and Make-Whole Amount thereon) not converted. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of this Note shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

(ii)    Companys Failure to Timely Convert. If on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline (A) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or (B) if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of the Holder or the Holder’s designee with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (II) below (collectively, a “Conversion Failure”), and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline the Holder acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion that the Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with (or as a result of) such Conversion Failure (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s discretion, either: (I) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loan costs and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of the Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such

 

5


shares of Common Stock) or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II) (the “Buy-In Payment Amount”). Nothing shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the conversion of this Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

(iii)    Registration; Book-Entry. The Trustee shall maintain a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the holders of each Note and the principal amount of the Notes held by such holders (the “Registered Notes”) as provided in Section 2.11 of the Supplemental Indenture. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The Company and the holders of the Notes shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of a Note for all purposes (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest hereunder) notwithstanding notice to the contrary. A Registered Note may be assigned, transferred or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register. Upon its receipt of a written request to assign, transfer or sell all or part of any Registered Note by the holder thereof, the Trustee shall record the information contained therein in the Register and issue one or more new Registered Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the principal amount of the surrendered Registered Note to the designated assignee or transferee pursuant to Section 16, provided that if the Company does not so record an assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be) of all or part of any Registered Note within two (2) Business Days of such a request, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2 or in the Indenture or in any applicable Supplemental Indenture, following conversion of any portion of this Note in accordance with the terms hereof, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Note to the Company unless (A) the full Conversion Amount represented by this Note is being converted (in which event this Note shall

 

6


be delivered to the Company following conversion thereof as contemplated by Section 3(c)(i)) or (B) the Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of this Note upon physical surrender of this Note. The Holder, the Trustee and the Company shall maintain records showing the Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest and Late Charges converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions, and/or payments (as the case may be) or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of this Note upon conversion. If the Company does not update the Register to record such Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest and Late Charges converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions, and/or payments (as the case may be) within two (2) Business Days of such occurrence, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such occurrence. Any Holder that sells a participation in this Note shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Company, maintain a register substantially similar to the Register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the participated Notes (the “Participant Register”); provided such Holder shall have no obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant) to the Company except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that the Note is in registered form under Treasury Regulations Section 5f.103-1(c). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and Holder shall treat the Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Note notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. This Section 3(c)(iii) shall be construed so that the Note is at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”) Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) and any related regulations (or any successor provisions of the IRC or such regulations).

(iv)    Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event that the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one holder of Notes for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such portions of the Notes submitted for conversion, the Company, subject to Section 3(d), shall convert from each holder of Notes electing to have Notes converted on such date a pro rata amount of such holder’s portion of its Notes submitted for conversion based on the principal amount of Notes submitted for conversion on such date by such holder relative to the aggregate principal amount of all Notes submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Holder in connection with a conversion of this Note, the Company shall issue to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 22.

 

7


(d)    Limitations on Conversions.

(i)    Beneficial Ownership. The Company shall not effect the conversion of any portion of this Note, and the Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Note pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Note and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted portion of this Note beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 3(d)(i). For purposes of this Section 3(d)(i), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the conversion of this Note without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in the most recent of (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Conversion Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Conversion Notice would otherwise cause the Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 3(d)(i), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Conversion Notice. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Note, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to

 

8


the Holder upon conversion of this Note results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Notes that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Note in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to convert this Note pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3(d)(i) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 3(d)(i) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Note.

(ii)    Principal Market Regulation. The Company shall not issue any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Note or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Note if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed 171,265,208 shares of Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events), representing the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Note without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market (the number of shares which may be issued without violating such rules and regulations, including rules related to the aggregate of offerings under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d), the “Exchange Cap”), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company (A) obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by the applicable rules of the Principal Market for issuances of shares of Common Stock in excess of such amount or (B) obtains a written opinion from counsel to the Company that such approval is not required, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holder. Until such approval or such written opinion is obtained, no Buyer shall

 

9


be issued in the aggregate, upon conversion or exercise (as the case may be) of any Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Notes, shares of Common Stock in an amount greater than the product of (i) the Exchange Cap as of the Issuance Date multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (1) the original principal amount of Notes issued to such Buyer pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement on the Initial Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) divided by (2) the aggregate original principal amount of all Notes issued to the Buyers pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement on the Initial Closing Date (with respect to each Buyer, the “Exchange Cap Allocation”). In the event that any Buyer shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Buyer’s Notes, the transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Buyer’s Exchange Cap Allocation with respect to such portion of such Notes so transferred, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation so allocated to such transferee. Upon conversion and exercise in full of a holder’s Notes, the difference (if any) between such holder’s Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such holder upon such holder’s conversion in full of such Notes shall be allocated, to the respective Exchange Cap Allocations of the remaining holders of Notes on a pro rata basis in proportion to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Notes then held by each such holder of Notes. At any time the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 3(d)(ii) (the “Exchange Cap Shares”), the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the cancellation of such portion of this Note convertible into such Exchange Cap Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Exchange Cap Shares and (y) the greater of (I) Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the applicable Conversion Date and (II) the greatest VWAP of the Common Stock on any of the three (3) Trading Days during the period commencing on, and including, such Conversion Date, and (ii) to the extent of any Buy-In related thereto (but without duplication with respect to the underlying Exchange Cap Shares), any Buy-In Payment Amount, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of the Holder incurred in connection therewith (collectively, the “Exchange Cap Share Cancellation Amount”).

(e)    Right of Alternate Conversion Upon an Event of Default.

(i)    General. Subject to Section 3(d), at any time during an Event of Default Redemption Right Period (as defined below) (regardless of whether such Event of Default has been cured, or if the Company has delivered an Event of Default Notice to the Holder or if the Holder has delivered an Event of Default Redemption Notice to the Company or otherwise notified the Company that an Event of Default has occurred), the Holder may, at the Holder’s option, convert (each, an “Alternate Conversion”, and the date of such Alternate Event of Default Conversion, each, an “Alternate Conversion Date”) all, or any part of, the Conversion Amount (such portion of the Conversion Amount subject to such Alternate Conversion, the “Alternate Conversion Amount”) into shares of Common Stock at an alternate conversion rate equal to the quotient of (x) Redemption Premium of the Conversion Amount divided by (y) the Conversion Price.

 

10


(ii)    Mechanics of Alternate Conversion. On any Alternate Conversion Date, the Holder may voluntarily convert any Alternate Conversion Amount pursuant to Section 3(c) (with “Redemption Premium of the Conversion Amount” replacing “Conversion Amount” in clause (x) of the definition of Conversion Rate above with respect to such Alternate Conversion) by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered pursuant to this Section 3(e) of this Note that the Holder is electing an Alternate Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(e), but subject to Section 3(d), until the Company delivers shares of Common Stock representing the applicable Alternate Conversion Amount to the Holder, such Alternate Conversion Amount may be converted by the Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3(c) without regard to this Section 3(e).

4.    RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.

(a)    Event of Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” and each of the events in clauses (vi), (vii) and (viii) shall constitute a “Bankruptcy Event of Default”:

(i)    the suspension from trading or the failure of the Common Stock to be trading or listed (as applicable) on an Eligible Market for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days;

(ii)    the Company’s (A) failure to cure a Conversion Failure by delivery of the required number of shares of Common Stock within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date or (B) written notice to any holder of the Notes, including, without limitation, by way of public announcement or through any of its agents, at any time, of its intention not to comply, as required, with a request for conversion of any Notes into shares of Common Stock that is requested in accordance with the provisions of the Notes, other than pursuant to Section 3(d);

(iii)    except to the extent the Company is in compliance with Section 9(b) below, at any time following the tenth (10th) consecutive day that the Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation (as defined in Section 9(a) below) is less than the number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder would be entitled to receive upon a conversion of the full Conversion Amount of this Note (without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth in Section 3(d) or otherwise);

(iv)    the Company’s failure to pay to the Holder any amount of Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest, Late Charges or other amounts when and as due under this Note (including, without limitation, the Company’s failure to pay any redemption payments or amounts hereunder) or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement, document, certificate or other instrument delivered in

 

11


connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except, in the case of a failure to pay any Make-Whole Amount, Interest, Late Charges or other amounts when and as due, in which case only if such failure remains uncured for a period of at least three (3) Trading Days;

(v)    the Company fails to remove any restrictive legend on any certificate or any shares of Common Stock issued to the Holder upon conversion or exercise (as the case may be) of any Securities (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) acquired by the Holder under the Securities Purchase Agreement (including this Note) as and when required by such Securities or the Securities Purchase Agreement, unless otherwise then prohibited by applicable federal securities laws, and any such failure remains uncured for at least five (5) days;

(vi)    bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, if instituted against the Company or any Subsidiary by a third party, shall not be dismissed within thirty (30) days of their initiation;

(vii)    the commencement by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the execution of a composition of debts, or the occurrence of any other similar federal, state or foreign proceeding, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action or the taking of any action by any Person to commence a Uniform Commercial Code foreclosure sale or any other similar action under federal, state or foreign law;

(viii)    the entry by a court of (i) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (ii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document adjudging the Company or any Significant Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking

 

12


liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or (iii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree, order, judgment or other similar document or any such other decree, order, judgment or other similar document unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;

(ix)    failure by the Company or any Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $30,000,000 (or a foreign currency equivalent) other than any judgments covered by indemnities provided by, or insurance policies issued by, reputable and creditworthy companies, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than thirty (30) days after such judgment becomes final (with no right to appeal thereof), and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(x)    default by the Company and/or any Subsidiary with respect to any Debt in excess of $30,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company, and/or any such Subsidiary, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such Debt becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such indebtedness when due and payable (after the expiration of all applicable grace periods) at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise and, in each such case, such indebtedness is not discharged, or such acceleration is not otherwise cured or rescinded within 30 days;

(xi)    other than as specifically set forth in another clause of this Section 4(a), any representation or warranty made by the Company in any Transaction Document shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made or the Company or any Subsidiary breaches any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, except, in the case of a breach of a covenant or other term or condition that is curable, only if such breach remains uncured for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days;

(xii)    a false or inaccurate certification (including a false or inaccurate deemed certification) by the Company as to whether any Event of Default has occurred;

(xiii)    any breach or failure in any respect by the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any provision of Section 13 of this Note or Section 2.17 of the applicable Supplemental Indenture;

(xiv)    any Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) occurs;

 

13


(xv)    any Event of Default (as defined in the Other Notes) occurs and is continuing with respect to any Other Notes.

(b)    Notice of an Event of Default; Redemption Right. Upon actual knowledge by the Company of the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Note or any Other Note, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier (with next day delivery specified) (an “Event of Default Notice”) to the Holder and the Trustee. The obligation of the Company to deliver an Event of Default Notice is in addition to, and may not be substituted by, the Trustee’s delivery of notice of the same Event of Default to the Holder in accordance with Section 602 of the Indenture. At any time after the earlier of the Holder’s receipt of an Event of Default Notice and the Holder becoming aware of an Event of Default (such earlier date, the “Event of Default Right Commencement Date”) and ending (such ending date, the “Event of Default Right Expiration Date”, and each such period, an “Event of Default Redemption Right Period”) on the twentieth (20th) Trading Day after the later of (x) the date such Event of Default is cured and (y) the Holder’s receipt of an Event of Default Notice that includes (I) a reasonable description of the applicable Event of Default, (II) a certification as to whether, in the opinion of the Company, such Event of Default is capable of being cured and, if applicable, a reasonable description of any existing plans of the Company to cure such Event of Default and (III) a certification as to the date the Event of Default occurred and, if cured on or prior to the date of such Event of Default Notice, the applicable Event of Default Right Expiration Date, the Holder may require the Company to redeem (regardless of whether such Event of Default has been cured on or prior to the Event of Default Right Expiration Date) all or any portion of this Note by delivering written notice thereof (the “Event of Default Redemption Notice”) to the Company and the Trustee which Event of Default Redemption Notice shall indicate the portion of this Note the Holder is electing to redeem. Each portion of this Note subject to redemption by the Company pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall be redeemed by the Company at a price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) the Redemption Premium and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated assuming an Alternate Conversion as of the date of the Event of Default Redemption Notice) with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect at such time as the Holder delivers an Event of Default Redemption Notice multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) the Redemption Premium multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Event of Default and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 4(b) (the “Event of Default Redemption Price”). Redemptions required by this Section 4(b) shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 10. To the extent redemptions required by this Section 4(b) are deemed or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prepayments of this Note by the Company, such redemptions shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(e), but subject to Section 3(d), until the Event of Default Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon) is paid in full, the Conversion Amount

 

14


submitted for redemption under this Section 4(b) (together with any Late Charges thereon) may be converted, in whole or in part, by the Holder into Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Note and any such Conversion Amount converted (whether by Alternate Conversion or otherwise) shall reduce the Event of Default Redemption Price hereunder on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any portion of this Note under this Section 4(b), the Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for the Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 4(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of the Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. Any redemption upon an Event of Default shall not constitute an election of remedies by the Holder, and all other rights and remedies of the Holder shall be preserved.

(c)    Mandatory Redemption upon Bankruptcy Event of Default. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and notwithstanding any conversion that is then required or in process, upon any Bankruptcy Event of Default, whether occurring prior to or following the Maturity Date, the Company shall immediately pay to the Holder an amount in cash representing (i) all outstanding Principal, Make-Whole Amount, accrued and unpaid Interest and accrued and unpaid Late Charges on such Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest, multiplied by (ii) the Redemption Premium, in addition to any and all other amounts due hereunder, without the requirement for any notice or demand or other action by the Holder or any other person or entity, provided that the Holder may, in its sole discretion, waive such right to receive payment upon a Bankruptcy Event of Default, in whole or in part, and any such waiver shall not affect any other rights of the Holder hereunder, including any other rights in respect of such Bankruptcy Event of Default, any right to conversion, and any right to payment of the Event of Default Redemption Price or any other Redemption Price, as applicable.

5.    RIGHTS UPON FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTION.

(a)    Assumption. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless (i) the Successor Entity (if other than the Company) assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Note and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5(a) (which written assumption document shall be subject to the approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, of the Required Holders prior to such Fundamental Transaction), and delivers to each holder of Notes in exchange for such Notes a security of the Successor Entity (substantially similar to the Notes in all material respects) and evidenced by a written instrument in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, including, without limitation, having a principal amount and interest rate equal to the principal amounts then outstanding and the interest rates of the Notes held by such holder, having similar conversion rights as the Notes and having similar ranking to the Notes and (ii) the Successor Entity (or Parent Entity, as applicable) (if other than the Company) is a publicly traded corporation whose common stock (or the equivalent) is

 

15


quoted on or listed for trading on an Eligible Market. Upon the occurrence of any Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity (if other than the Company) shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Note and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity (if other than the Company)), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Note and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. Upon consummation of a Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity (if other than the Company) shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon conversion or redemption of this Note at any time after the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 6 and 14, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the conversion or redemption of the Notes prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of the publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity (or its Parent Entity, as applicable) (if other than the Company) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had this Note been converted immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Note), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 5(a) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of this Note. The provisions of this Section 5 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Note.

(b)    Notice of a Change of Control; Redemption Right. No later than ten (10) Trading Days prior to the expected consummation of a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Date”), but not prior to the public announcement of such Change of Control, the Company shall deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail or overnight courier to the Holder and the Trustee (a “Change of Control Notice”). At any time during the period beginning after the Holder’s receipt of a Change of Control Notice or the Holder becoming aware of a Change of Control if a Change of Control Notice is not delivered to the Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence (as applicable) and ending on twenty (20) Trading Days after the later of (A) the date of consummation of such Change of Control or (B) the date of receipt of such Change of Control Notice or (C) the date of the public announcement of such Change of Control, the Holder may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of this Note by delivering written notice thereof (“Change of Control Redemption Notice”) to the Company and the Trustee, which Change of Control Redemption Notice shall indicate the Conversion Amount the Holder is electing to redeem. The portion of this Note subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 5 shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the greatest of (i) the product of (w) the Change of Control Redemption Premium multiplied by (y) the Conversion Amount being redeemed, (ii) the product of (x) the Change of Control Redemption Premium multiplied by (y) the product of (A) the

 

16


Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient determined by dividing (I) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control and ending on the date the Holder delivers the Change of Control Redemption Notice by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect and (iii) the product of (y) the Change of Control Redemption Premium multiplied by (z) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per share of Common Stock to be paid to the holders of the shares of Common Stock upon consummation of such Change of Control (any such non-cash consideration constituting publicly-traded securities shall be valued at the highest of the Closing Sale Price of such securities as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control and the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately prior to the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control) divided by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect (the “Change of Control Redemption Price”). Redemptions required by this Section 5 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 and shall have priority to payments to stockholders in connection with such Change of Control. To the extent redemptions required by this Section 5(b) are deemed or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prepayments of this Note by the Company, such redemptions shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5, but subject to Section 3(d), until the Change of Control Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon) is paid in full, the Conversion Amount submitted for redemption under this Section 5(b) (together with any Late Charges thereon) may be converted, in whole or in part, by the Holder into Common Stock pursuant to Section 3. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any portion of this Note under this Section 5(b), the Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for the Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 5(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of the Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty.

6.    RIGHTS UPON ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS AND OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

(a)    Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Sections 7 or 14 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete

 

17


conversion of this Note (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note and assuming for such purpose that the Note was converted at the Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to the extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable) for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right held similarly in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable)) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

(b)    Other Corporate Events. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to ensure that the Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion of this Note, at the Holder’s option (i) in addition to the shares of Common Stock receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets to which the Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by the Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note) or (ii) in lieu of the shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets received by the holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the consummation of such Corporate Event in such amounts as the Holder would have been entitled to receive had this Note initially been issued with conversion rights for the form of such consideration (as opposed to shares of Common Stock) at a conversion rate for such consideration commensurate with the Conversion Rate. Provision made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of this Note.

 

18


7.    RIGHTS UPON ISSUANCE OF OTHER SECURITIES.

(a)    [Intentionally Omitted]

(b)    Adjustment of Reference Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 6 or Section 14, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Reference Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 6 or Section 14, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Reference Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 7(b) occurs during the period that a Reference Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Reference Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

(c)    Holders Right of Adjusted Conversion Price. In addition to and not in limitation of the other provisions of this Section 7 or in the Securities Purchase Agreement, if the Company in any manner issues or sells or enters into any agreement to issue or sell, any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (other than with respect to a Permitted ATM (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)) or additional Notes pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement (or, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”)) (any such securities, “Variable Price Securities”) regardless of whether securities have been sold pursuant to such agreement and whether such agreement has subsequently been terminated, prior to or after the Subscription Date that are issuable pursuant to such agreement or convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, in each case, at a price which varies or may vary with the market price of the shares of Common Stock, including by way of one or more reset(s) to a fixed price, but exclusive of such formulations reflecting customary anti-dilution provisions (such as share splits, share combinations, share dividends and similar transactions) (each of the formulations for such variable price being herein referred to as, the “Variable Price”), the Company shall provide written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to the Holder on the date of such agreement and the issuance of such Common Stock, Convertible Securities or Options. From and after the date the Company enters into such agreement or issues any such Variable Price Securities (other than with respect to a Permitted ATM or pursuant to the 2026 Notes), the Holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to substitute the Variable Price for the Conversion Price upon conversion of this Note by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered upon any conversion of this Note that solely for

 

19


purposes of such conversion the Holder is relying on the Variable Price rather than the Conversion Price then in effect. The Holder’s election to rely on a Variable Price for a particular conversion of this Note shall not obligate the Holder to rely on a Variable Price for any future conversion of this Note.

(d)    Other Events. In the event that the Company (or any Subsidiary) shall take any action to which the provisions hereof are not strictly applicable, or, if applicable, would not operate to protect the Holder from dilution or if any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 7 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company’s board of directors shall in good faith determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the Reference Price so as to protect the rights of the Holder, provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(d) will increase the Reference Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 7, provided further that if the Holder does not accept such adjustments as appropriately protecting its interests hereunder against such dilution, then the Company’s board of directors and the Holder shall agree, in good faith, upon an independent investment bank of nationally recognized standing to make such appropriate adjustments, whose determination shall be final and binding absent manifest error and whose fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company.

(e)    Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made by rounding to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as applicable. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock.

(f)    Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Note, with the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), reduce the then current Reference Price of each of the Notes to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.

8.    NONCIRCUMVENTION. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), Bylaws (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Note, and will at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions of this Note and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder of this Note. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Note or the other Transaction Documents, the Company (a) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon conversion of this Note above the Conversion Price then in effect, and (b) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of

 

20


Common Stock upon the conversion of this Note. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after the sixty (60) calendar day anniversary of the Issuance Date, the Holder is not permitted to convert this Note in full for any reason (other than pursuant to restrictions set forth in Section 3(d) hereof), the Company shall use its best efforts to promptly remedy such failure, including, without limitation, obtaining such consents or approvals as necessary to permit such conversion into shares of Common Stock.

9.    RESERVATION OF AUTHORIZED SHARES.

(a)    Reservation. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least the lesser of (x) the remaining Exchange Cap (solely until such time as the Company shall have obtained the approval of its stockholders, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Notes in excess of the Exchange Cap) and (y) 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion, including without limitation, Alternate Conversions, of all of the Notes then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversions and assuming such Notes remain outstanding until the Maturity Date) at the Floor Price then in effect (but in no event greater than the Exchange Cap) (the “Required Reserve Amount”). The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the holders of the Notes based on the original principal amount of the Notes held by each holder on the Initial Closing Date or increase in the number of reserved shares, as the case may be (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event that a holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder’s Notes, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Notes shall be allocated to the remaining holders of Notes, pro rata based on the principal amount of the Notes then held by such holders.

(b)    Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 9(a), and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the Notes remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Notes at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for the Notes then outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that

 

21


they approve such proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Note due to the failure by the Company to have sufficient shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such Authorized Failure Shares to the Holder, the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the Conversion Amount convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date the Holder delivers the applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized Failure Shares to the Company and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this Section 9(a); and (ii) to the extent the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of Authorized Failure Shares, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of the Holder incurred in connection therewith (but without any duplication of any Buy-In Payment Amount). Nothing contained in Section 9(a) or this Section 9(b) shall limit any obligations of the Company under any provision of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

10.    SUBSEQUENT PLACEMENT OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

(a)    General. At any time from and after the earlier of (x) the date any Holder becomes aware of the occurrence of a Subsequent Placement (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) and (y) the time of consummation of a Subsequent Placement (in each case, other than with respect to the Excluded Securities described in clauses (A) through (D) and clause (F) of the definition of Excluded Securities in the Securities Purchase Agreement) (each, an “Eligible Subsequent Placement”), the Holder shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require that the Company redeem (each, an “Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption”) all, or any portion, of the Conversion Amount under this Note not in excess of (together with any Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Amount (as defined in the applicable other Note of the Holder) of any other Notes of the Holder) the Holder’s Holder Pro Rata Amount of 20% of the gross proceeds of such Eligible Subsequent Placement (the “Eligible Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Amount”) by delivering written notice thereof (each, an “Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notice”) to the Company. To be effective, a Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notice, must be delivered to the Company no later than tenth (10th) Trading Day following the later of (x) the date of consummation of the related Eligible Subsequent Placement and (y) the date the Company delivers written notice to the Holder with respect to the related Eligible Subsequent Placement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Holder is participating in

 

22


an Eligible Subsequent Placement, upon the written request of the Holder, the Company shall apply all, or any part, as set forth in such written request, of any amounts that would otherwise be payable to the Holder in such Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, against the purchase price of the securities to be purchased by the Holder in such Eligible Subsequent Placement.

(b)    Mechanics. Each Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notice shall indicate that all, or such applicable portion, as set forth in the applicable Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notice, of the Eligible Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Amount the Holder is electing to have redeemed (each, a “Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Amount”) and the date of such Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption (each, a “Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Date”), which shall be the later of (x) the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date of the applicable Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notice and (y) the date of the consummation of such Eligible Subsequent Placement. The portion of this Note subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 10 shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to 100% of the Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Amount (each, a “Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Price”). Redemptions required by this Section 10 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.

11.    REDEMPTIONS.

(a)    Mechanics. The Company, or at the Company’s written direction and at the Company’s expense, the Trustee, shall deliver the applicable Event of Default Redemption Price to the Holder in cash within five (5) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s Event of Default Redemption Notice. If the Holder has submitted a Change of Control Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 5(b), the Company, or at the Company’s direction, the Trustee, shall deliver the applicable Change of Control Redemption Price to the Holder in cash concurrently with the consummation of such Change of Control if such notice is received prior to the consummation of such Change of Control and within five (5) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of such notice otherwise. The Company shall deliver the applicable Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Price to the Holder in cash on the applicable Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with any redemption hereunder at a time the Holder is entitled to receive a cash payment under any of the other Transaction Documents, at the option of the Holder delivered in writing to the Company, the applicable Redemption Price hereunder shall be increased by the amount of such cash payment owed to the Holder under such other Transaction Document and, upon payment in full or conversion in accordance herewith, shall satisfy the Company’s payment obligation under such other Transaction Document. In the event of a redemption of less than all of the Conversion Amount of this Note, the Company shall promptly cause to be issued and delivered to the Holder a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)) representing the outstanding Principal which has not been redeemed. In the event that the Company does not pay the applicable Redemption Price to the Holder within the time period required, at any time

 

23


thereafter and until the Company pays such unpaid Redemption Price in full, the Holder shall have the option, in lieu of redemption, to require the Company to promptly return to the Holder all or any portion of this Note representing the Conversion Amount that was submitted for redemption and for which the applicable Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon) has not been paid. Upon the Company’s receipt of such notice, (x) the applicable Redemption Notice shall be null and void with respect to such Conversion Amount, (y) the Company shall immediately return this Note, or issue a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)), to the Holder, and in each case the principal amount of this Note or such new Note (as the case may be) shall be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (1) the applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be, and as adjusted pursuant to this Section 10, if applicable) minus (2) the Principal portion of the Conversion Amount submitted for redemption. The Holder’s delivery of a notice voiding a Redemption Notice and exercise of its rights following such notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments of Late Charges which have accrued prior to the date of such notice with respect to the Conversion Amount subject to such notice.

(b)    Redemption by Other Holders. Upon the Company’s receipt of notice from any of the holders of the Other Notes for redemption or repayment as a result of an event or occurrence substantially similar to the events or occurrences described in Section 4(b) or Section 5(b) (each, an “Other Redemption Notice”), the Company shall immediately, but no later than one (1) Business Day of its receipt thereof, forward to the Holder by electronic mail a copy of such notice. If the Company receives a Redemption Notice and one or more Other Redemption Notices, during the seven (7) Business Day period beginning on and including the date which is two (2) Business Days prior to the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s applicable Redemption Notice and ending on and including the date which is two (2) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s applicable Redemption Notice and the Company is unable to redeem all principal, make-whole amount, interest and other amounts designated in such Redemption Notice and such Other Redemption Notices received during such seven (7) Business Day period, then the Company shall redeem a pro rata amount from each holder of the Notes (including the Holder) based on the principal amount of the Notes submitted for redemption pursuant to such Redemption Notice and such Other Redemption Notices received by the Company during such seven (7) Business Day period.

12.    VOTING RIGHTS. The Holder shall have no voting rights as the holder of this Note, except as required by law (including, without limitation, the Delaware General Corporation Law) and as expressly provided in this Note.

13.    COVENANTS. Until all of the Notes have been converted, redeemed or otherwise satisfied in accordance with their terms:

(a)    Rank. The Company shall designate all payments due under this Note as senior unsecured Indebtedness, and (a) the Notes shall rank pari passu with all Other Notes and (b) shall be at least pari passu in right of payment with all other Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

24


(b)    Incurrence of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, incur or guarantee, assume or suffer to exist any Debt (other than the Debt evidenced by this Note and the Other Notes) with a maturity date (or subject to acceleration) prior to the 91st calendar day after the Maturity Date, unless the proceeds from the issuance of such Debt are used to repay all amounts then due on the Notes and the other Transaction Documents.

(c)    Restricted Payments and Investments. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, defease, repurchase, repay or make any payments in respect of, by the payment of cash or cash equivalents (in whole or in part, whether by way of open market purchases, tender offers, private transactions or otherwise), all or any portion of any Debt (other than the Notes) whether by way of payment in respect of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, such Debt or make any Investment, as applicable, if at the time such payment with respect to such Debt and/or Investment, as applicable, is due or is otherwise made or, after giving effect to such payment, (i) an event constituting an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) an event that with the passage of time and without being cured would constitute an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; provided, however, that the Company may make any such payment if the Company concurrently makes the payment of the Event of Default Redemption Price on the outstanding portion of this Note.

(d)    Change in Nature of Business. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those material lines of business conducted by or publicly contemplated to be conducted by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries on the Subscription Date.

(e)    Preservation of Existence, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve its existence, rights and privileges, and become or remain duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary.

(f)    Maintenance of Properties, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all of its properties that are necessary in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, in each case that is necessary in the proper conduct of its business, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.

(g)    Maintenance of Intellectual Property. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take all action necessary or advisable to maintain all of the Intellectual Property Rights (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary or material to the conduct of its business in full force and effect.

 

25


(h)    Maintenance of Insurance. The Company shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations (including, without limitation, comprehensive general liability, hazard, rent and business interruption insurance) with respect to its properties (including all real properties leased or owned by it) and business, in such amounts and covering such risks as is required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto or as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated.

(i)    Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any affiliate, except (i) intercompany transactions, (ii) reasonable and customary director, officer and employee compensation and other customary benefits including retirement, health, stock option and other benefit plans and indemnification arrangements approved by the Company’s board of directors, and (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and/or necessary for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an affiliate thereof.

(j)    Restricted Issuances. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (i) issue any Notes (other than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Notes) or (ii) issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Notes, unless the proceeds from the issuance of such securities are used to repay all amounts due on the Notes and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) issue any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any equity line or at-the-market offering during the three (3) Trading Day period immediately following any Conversion Date hereunder or (iv) issue any other securities (other than Excluded Securities or Permitted Subsequent Securities) at any time any Notes remain outstanding.

(k)    Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall pay when due all taxes, fees or other charges of any nature whatsoever (together with any related interest or penalties) now or hereafter imposed or assessed against the Company and its Subsidiaries or their respective assets or upon their ownership, possession, use, operation or disposition thereof or upon their rents, receipts or earnings arising therefrom (except where the failure to pay would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). The Company and its Subsidiaries shall file on or before the due date therefor all personal property tax returns (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries may contest, in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, taxes for which they maintain adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP.

 

26


(l)    Independent Investigation. At the reasonable request of the Holder either (x) at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (y) upon the occurrence of an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default or (z) at any time the Holder reasonably believes an Event of Default may have occurred or be continuing, the Company shall hire an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by the Required Holders to investigate as to whether any breach of this Note has occurred (the “Independent Investigator”). If the Independent Investigator determines that such breach of this Note has occurred, the Independent Investigator shall notify the Company of such breach and the Company shall deliver written notice to each holder of a Note of such breach. In connection with such investigation, the Independent Investigator may, during normal business hours, inspect all contracts, books, records, personnel, offices and other facilities and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the extent available to the Company after the Company uses reasonable efforts to obtain them, the records of its legal advisors and accountants (including the accountants’ work papers) and any books of account, records, reports and other papers not contractually required of the Company to be confidential or secret, or subject to attorney-client or other evidentiary privilege, and the Independent Investigator may make such copies and inspections thereof as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall furnish the Independent Investigator with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business and properties of the Company as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall permit the Independent Investigator to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with, and to make proposals and furnish advice with respect thereto to, the Company’s officers, directors, key employees and independent public accountants or any of them (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss with such Independent Investigator the finances and affairs of the Company and any Subsidiaries), all at such reasonable times, upon reasonable notice, and as often as may be reasonably requested.

14.    DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Sections 6 or 7, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distributions of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (the “Distributions”), then the Holder will be entitled to such Distributions as if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Note (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note and assuming for such purpose that the Note was converted at the Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for such Distributions (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of

 

27


such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

15.    AMENDING THE TERMS OF THIS NOTE. Except for Section 3(d), which may not be amended, modified or waived by the parties hereto, the prior written consent of the Required Holders shall be required for any amendment, modification or waiver to this Note. Any amendment, modification or waiver so approved shall be binding upon all existing and future holders of this Note and any Other Notes; provided, however, that no such change, waiver or, as applied to any of the Notes held by any particular holder of Notes, shall, without the written consent of that particular holder, (i) reduce the amount of Principal, reduce the amount of accrued and unpaid Interest or Make-Whole Amount, or extend the Maturity Date, of the Notes, (ii) disproportionally and adversely affect any rights under the Notes of any holder of Notes; or (iii) modify any of the provisions of, or impair the right of any holder of Notes under, this Section 15.

16.    TRANSFER. This Note and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of this Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by the Holder without the consent of the Company, subject only to the provisions of Section 3(c)(iii) hereof and to the provisions of the Leak-Out Agreements (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement).

17.    REISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE.

(a)    Transfer. If this Note is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Note to the Company, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the outstanding Principal being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the entire outstanding Principal is being transferred, a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)) to the Holder representing the outstanding Principal not being transferred. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Note, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of Section 3(c)(iii) following conversion or redemption of any portion of this Note, the outstanding Principal represented by this Note may be less than the Principal stated on the face of this Note.

(b)    Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Note. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Note. The Company shall execute and, following authentication of such new Note, deliver to the Holder a new Note (in accordance with Section 17(d)) representing the outstanding Principal.

 

28


(c)    Note Exchangeable for Different Denominations. This Note is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Note or Notes (in accordance with Section 17(d) and in principal amounts of at least $1,000) representing in the aggregate the outstanding Principal of this Note, and each such new Note will represent such portion of such outstanding Principal as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender.

(d)    Issuance of New Notes. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Note pursuant to the terms of this Note, such new Note (i) shall be of like tenor with this Note, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Note, the Principal remaining outstanding (or in the case of a new Note being issued pursuant to Section 17(a) or Section 17(c), the Principal designated by the Holder which, when added to the principal represented by the other new Notes issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the Principal remaining outstanding under this Note immediately prior to such issuance of new Notes), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Note, which is the same as the Issuance Date of this Note, (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Note, (v) shall be duly authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and (vi) shall represent accrued and unpaid Interest, Make-Whole Amount and Late Charges on the Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest of this Note, from the Issuance Date.

18.    REMEDIES, CHARACTERIZATIONS, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The remedies provided in this Note shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Note and any of the other Transaction Documents at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief). No failure on the part of the Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of the Holder at law or equity or under this Note or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company covenants to the Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The Company shall provide all

 

29


information and documentation to the Holder that is requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Note (including, without limitation, compliance with Section 7).

19.    PAYMENT OF COLLECTION, ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER COSTS. If (a) this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement or is collected or enforced through any legal proceeding or the Holder otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under this Note and/or any other Transaction Document or to enforce the provisions of this Note and/or any other Transaction Document or (b) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of the Company or other proceedings affecting Company creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Note, then the Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Holder for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no amounts due under this Note and/or any other Transaction Document, as applicable, shall be affected, or limited, by the fact that the purchase price paid for this Note was less than the original Principal amount hereof.

20.    CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS. This Note shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the initial Holder and shall not be construed against any such Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Note are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Note. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Note instead of just the provision in which they are found. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, all section references are to sections of this Note. Terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein, but defined in the other Transaction Documents, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Initial Closing Date in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Holder.

21.    FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER. No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 21 shall permit any waiver of any provision of Section 3(d).

 

30


22.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

(a)    Submission to Dispute Resolution.

(i)    In the case of a dispute relating to a Closing Bid Price, a Closing Sale Price, a Conversion Price, Conversion Base Price, a VWAP or a fair market value or the arithmetic calculation of a Conversion Rate or the applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be) (including, without limitation, a dispute relating to the determination of any of the foregoing), the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the dispute to the other party via electronic mail (A) if by the Company, within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute or (B) if by the Holder at any time after the Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If the Holder and the Company are unable to promptly resolve such dispute relating to such Closing Bid Price, such Closing Sale Price, such Conversion Price, such Conversion Base Price, such VWAP or such fair market value, or the arithmetic calculation of such Conversion Rate or such applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be), at any time after the second (2nd) Business Day following such initial notice by the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) of such dispute to the Company or the Holder (as the case may be), then the Holder may, at its sole option, select an independent, reputable investment bank to resolve such dispute.

(ii)    The Holder and the Company shall each deliver to such investment bank (A) a copy of the initial dispute submission so delivered in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 22 and (B) written documentation supporting its position with respect to such dispute, in each case, no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) by the fifth (5th) Business Day immediately following the date on which the Holder selected such investment bank (the “Dispute Submission Deadline”) (the documents referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the “Required Dispute Documentation”) (it being understood and agreed that if either the Holder or the Company fails to so deliver all of the Required Dispute Documentation by the Dispute Submission Deadline, then the party who fails to so submit all of the Required Dispute Documentation shall no longer be entitled to (and hereby waives its right to) deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank with respect to such dispute and such investment bank shall resolve such dispute based solely on the Required Dispute Documentation that was delivered to such investment bank prior to the Dispute Submission Deadline). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both the Company and the Holder or otherwise requested by such investment bank, neither the Company nor the Holder shall be entitled to deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank in connection with such dispute (other than the Required Dispute Documentation).

(iii)    The Company and the Holder shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause such investment bank to determine the resolution of such dispute and notify the Company and the Holder of such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days immediately following the Dispute Submission Deadline. The fees and expenses of such investment bank shall be borne solely by the Company, and such investment bank’s resolution of such dispute shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error.

 

31


(b)    Miscellaneous. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Section 22 constitutes an agreement to arbitrate between the Company and the Holder (and constitutes an arbitration agreement) under § 7501, et seq. of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) and that the Holder is authorized to apply for an order to compel arbitration pursuant to CPLR § 7503(a) in order to compel compliance with this Section 22, (ii) the terms of this Note and each other applicable Transaction Document shall serve as the basis for the selected investment bank’s resolution of the applicable dispute, such investment bank shall be entitled (and is hereby expressly authorized) to make all findings, determinations and the like that such investment bank determines are required to be made by such investment bank in connection with its resolution of such dispute and in resolving such dispute such investment bank shall apply such findings, determinations and the like to the terms of this Note and any other applicable Transaction Documents, (iii) the Holder (and only the Holder), in its sole discretion, shall have the right to submit any dispute described in this Section 22 to any state or federal court sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan in lieu of utilizing the procedures set forth in this Section 22 and (iv) nothing in this Section 22 shall limit the Holder from obtaining any injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (including, without limitation, with respect to any matters described in this Section 22).

23.    NOTICES; CURRENCY; PAYMENTS.

(a)    Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Company shall provide the Holder and the Trustee with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Note, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefore. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give written notice to the Holder and the Trustee (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, or (B) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder.

(b)    Currency. All dollar amounts referred to in this Note are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Note shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Note, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).

 

32


(c)    Payments. Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Note, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by a certified check drawn on the account of the Company and sent via overnight courier service to such Person at such address as previously provided to the Company in writing (which address, in the case of each of the Buyers, shall initially be as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement), provided that the Holder may elect to receive a payment of cash via wire transfer of immediately available funds by providing the Company with prior written notice setting out such request and the Holder’s wire transfer instructions. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Note is due on any day which is not a Business Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. Any amount of Principal or other amounts due under the Transaction Documents which is not paid when due (except to the extent such amount is simultaneously accruing Interest at the Default Rate hereunder) shall result in a late charge being incurred and payable by the Company in an amount equal to interest on such amount at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum from the date such amount was due until the same is paid in full (“Late Charge”).

24.    CANCELLATION. After all Principal, Make-Whole Amount, accrued Interest, Late Charges and other amounts at any time owed on this Note or any other Transaction Documents have been paid in full, this Note shall automatically be deemed canceled, shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation and shall not be reissued.

25.    WAIVER OF NOTICE. To the extent permitted by law, the Company hereby irrevocably waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note and the Securities Purchase Agreement.

26.    GOVERNING LAW. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Except as otherwise required by Section 22 above, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein (i) shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other

 

33


legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to the Holder, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder or (ii) shall limit, or shall be deemed or construed to limit, any provision of Section 22. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

27.    JUDGMENT CURRENCY.

(a)    If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 27 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. dollars under this Note, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:

(i)    the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

(ii)    the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 27(a)(ii) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

(b)    If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 27(a)(ii) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of US dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

(c)    Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Note.

28.    TAX MATTERS.

(a)    Any and all payments by the Company hereunder, including any amounts (or shares of Common Stock) received on a conversion or redemption of the Note and any amounts on account of interest or deemed interest, shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, unless the Company is required to withhold or deduct any amounts for, or on account of any applicable law

 

34


(each, a “Withheld Amount”). If the Company shall be required to deduct any Withheld Amount from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to the Holder, (i) the sum payable shall be increased by the amount by which the sum payable would otherwise have to be increased (the “tax make-whole amount”) to ensure that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to the tax make-whole amount) the Holder would receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Company shall make such deductions and (iii) the Company shall pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant governmental authority within the time required.

(i)    In addition, the Company agrees to pay to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable law any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or in connection with the execution, delivery, registration or performance of, or otherwise with respect to, this Note (“Other Taxes”).

(ii)    The Company shall deliver to the Holder official receipts, if any, in respect of any taxes payable hereunder promptly after payment of such taxes or other evidence of payment reasonably acceptable to the Holder.

(iii)    If the Company fails to pay any amounts in accordance with this Section 28, the Company shall indemnify the Holder within ten (10) calendar days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any such taxes, plus any related interest or penalties, that are paid by the Holder to the relevant governmental authority as a result of such failure.

(iv)    The obligations of the Company under this Section 28(a) shall survive the termination of this Note and the payment of the Note and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(b)    Each Holder and beneficial owner of this Note, by the acceptance of this Note or acquisition of any beneficial interest therein, and the Company each mutually covenant and agree, to treat this Note as indebtedness for all purposes and will not take any action contrary to such characterization, including filing any tax returns or financial statements inconsistent therewith.

(c)    Each Holder and beneficial owner of a Note, by the acceptance of such Note or acquisition of any beneficial interest therein, covenants and agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to the extent it is legally able to do so, to provide to the Company and its paying agent (if any) such properly completed and executed reasonable documentation, information or certification (including, but not limited to, Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8IMY, W-8ECI, W-8EXP and W-9, (or any successor forms) and portfolio interest certificates) as (1) would reduce or eliminate withholding taxes imposed on any amount payable by the Company (and its paying agent, if any) and/or (2) may be helpful (as reasonably determined by the Company or its paying agent) for the Company (and its paying agent, if any) to satisfy its obligations relating to FATCA, withholding (including backup withholding) and information reporting under the Code and any other applicable law.

 

35


(d)    To the extent this Note is subject to Section 871(m) of the Code, for purposes of Section 871(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, the Common Stock is not expected to have a dividend during the life of the Note and therefore the estimate of the dividend amount for such purposes is zero.

29.    SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Note is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Note so long as this Note as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

30.    MAXIMUM PAYMENTS. Without limiting Section 9(d) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the Holder and thus refunded to the Company.

31.    CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)    “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(b)    “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(c)    “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

 

36


(d)    “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

(e)    “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

(f)    “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

(g)    “Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any lease of any property which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.

(h)    “Change of Control” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any merger of the Company or any of its, direct or indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiaries with or into any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respects, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any stock split or reverse stock split of the Common Stock that effects a reclassification of the Common Stock to adjust the par value to be the same as the par value immediately prior to such split, or (iii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(i)    “Change of Control Redemption Premium” means 115%.

 

37


(j)    “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 22. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.

(k)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

(l)     “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

(m)    “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the Principal of this Note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid Interest with respect to such Principal of this Note, (C) the Make-Whole Amount, if any, (D) accrued and unpaid Late Charges with respect to such Principal of this Note, Make-Whole Amount and Interest, and (E) any other unpaid amounts pursuant to the Transaction Documents, if any.

(n)    “Conversion Base Price” means that price which shall be the lower of (i) the applicable Reference Price as in effect on the applicable Conversion Date of the applicable conversion, and (ii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) 100% of the VWAP of the Common Stock as of the Conversion Date.

 

38


(o)    “Conversion Floor Amount” means an amount in cash, to be delivered by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to wire instructions delivered to the Company by the Holder in writing, equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the higher of (I) the highest price that the Common Stock trades at on the Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date and (II) the applicable Conversion Price and (B) the difference obtained by subtracting (I) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered (or to be delivered) to the Holder on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline with respect to such Conversion from (II) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the applicable Conversion Amount that the Holder has elected to be the subject of the applicable conversion, by (y) the applicable Conversion Price without giving effect to clause (x) of such definition or clause.

(p)    “Conversion Floor Price Condition” means that the relevant Conversion Price or Conversion Base Price, as applicable, is being determined based on sub-clause (x) of such definition.

(q)    “Conversion Price” means that price which shall be the lower of (i) the applicable Reference Price as in effect on the applicable Conversion Date of the applicable conversion, (ii) the Conversion Base Price with respect to such conversion and (iii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) as elected in writing by the Holder in the applicable Conversion Notice or other written notice to the Company, either (A) as applicable, (1) with respect to any Conversion Notice delivered to the Company on or after the close of the Principal Market on such applicable Conversion Date, 100% of the VWAP of the Common Stock as of such Conversion Date or (2) with respect to any Conversion Notice delivered to the Company prior to the close of the Principal Market on such applicable Conversion Date (or any other determination of the Conversion Price under any Transaction Document that is not with respect to a conversion), 100% of the VWAP of the Common Stock as of the Trading Day immediately prior to such Conversion Date and (B) 95% of the price computed as the quotient of (I) the sum of the VWAP of the Common Stock for each of the three (3) Trading Days during the period commencing on, and including, such Conversion Date, divided by (II) three (3) (such period, the “Conversion Measuring Period”, and any election by the Holder to apply clause (iii)(y)(B) of this definition to any conversion, a “Remainder Eligible Election”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Conversion Measuring Period.

(r)    “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.

(s)    “Current Public Information Failure“ means either (x) the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the requirements of Rule 144(c)(1) of the 1933 Act, including, without limitation, the failure to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) of the 1933 Act or (y) the Company has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) of the 1933 Act or becomes such an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) of the 1933 Act.

 

39


(t)    “Debt” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(1)    all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

(2)    all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(3)    all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments;

(4)    all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services which are recorded as liabilities under GAAP, excluding trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business;

(5)    all obligations of such Person as lessee under any Capital Lease;

(6)    all Debt of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent so Guaranteed;

(7)    all Debt of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; and

(8)    all obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements.

The amount of Debt of any Person will be deemed to be:

(A) with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation;

(B) with respect to any Hedging Agreement, the net amount payable if such Hedging Agreement terminated at that time due to default by such Person; or

(C) otherwise, the outstanding principal amount thereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Debt” shall not include:

(i) any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) accounted for as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP;

(ii) contingent obligations in the ordinary course of business, other than Guarantees or other assumptions of Debt;

 

40


(iii) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments or purchase price holdbacks to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet, such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing or to satisfy warranties or other unperformed obligations of the applicable seller; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner;

(iv) deferred or prepaid revenues in the ordinary course of business;

(v) accrued expenses, accounts payables, taxes payable and other short-term payables in the ordinary course of business; or

(vi) any contingent obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, early retirement or termination obligations, pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions or social security or wage taxes.

(u)    “Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market.

(v)    “Equity Conditions” means, with respect to an given date of determination: (i) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to the applicable date of determination and ending on and including the applicable date of determination (the “Equity Conditions Measuring Period”), the Common Stock (including all Underlying Securities (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement)) is listed or designated for quotation (as applicable) on an Eligible Market and shall not have been suspended from trading on an Eligible Market (other than suspensions of not more than two (2) days and occurring prior to the applicable date of determination due to business announcements by the Company) nor shall delisting or suspension by an Eligible Market have been threatened (with a reasonable prospect of delisting occurring after giving effect to all applicable notice, appeal, compliance and hearing periods) or reasonably likely to occur or pending as evidenced by (A) a writing by such Eligible Market or (B) the Company falling below the minimum listing maintenance requirements of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (ii) during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company shall have delivered all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note on a timely basis as set forth in Section 2 hereof and all other shares of capital stock required to be delivered by the Company on a timely basis as set forth in the other Transaction Documents; (iii) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination (or issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Amount being redeemed in the event requiring this determination) may be issued in full without violating Section 3(d) hereof; (iv) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination (or issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Amount being redeemed in the event requiring this determination (without regards to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) may be issued in full without

 

41


violating the rules or regulations of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (v) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no public announcement of a pending, proposed or intended Fundamental Transaction shall have occurred which has not been abandoned, terminated or consummated; (vi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no Current Public Information Failure then exists or is continuing; (vii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Holder shall not be in (and no other holder of Notes shall be in) possession of any material, non-public information provided to any of them by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, employees, officers, representatives, agents or the like; (viii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company otherwise shall have been in compliance with each, and shall not have breached any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, including, without limitation, the Company shall not have failed to timely make any payment pursuant to any Transaction Document; (ix) on each Trading Day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred any Volume Failure or Price Failure as of such applicable date of determination; (x) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, (A) no Authorized Share Failure shall exist or be continuing and all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination (or issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Amount being redeemed in the event requiring this determination at the Conversion Price then in effect (without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) (each, a “Required Minimum Securities Amount”) are available under the certificate of incorporation of the Company and reserved by the Company to be issued pursuant to the Notes and (B) all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination (or issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Amount being redeemed in the event requiring this determination (without regards to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) may be issued in full without resulting in an Authorized Share Failure; (xi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred and there shall not exist an Event of Default or an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default; (xii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no bone fide dispute shall exist, by and between any of holder of Notes, the Company, the Principal Market (or such applicable Eligible Market in which the Common Stock of the Company is then principally trading) and/or FINRA with respect to any term or provision of any Note or any other Transaction Document and (xiii) the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant the event requiring the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions are duly authorized and listed and eligible for trading without restriction on an Eligible Market.

(w)    “Equity Conditions Failure” means, as applicable, that on any day (i) with respect to any election by the Company to pay any Interest in Interest Shares hereunder, during the period commencing on the Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Interest Notice Date through the applicable Interest Date or (ii) otherwise, on such applicable date of determination, the Equity Conditions have not been satisfied (or waived in writing by the Holder).

 

42


(x)     “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Note (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

(y)    “Fiscal Quarter means each of the fiscal quarters adopted by the Company for financial reporting purposes that correspond to the Company’s fiscal year as of the date hereof that ends on December 31.

(z)     “Floor Price” means $[            ]1 (or such lower amount as permitted, from time to time, by the Principal Market), subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar events.

(aa)    “Fundamental Transaction” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject

 

1 

Insert 20% of the Nasdaq “market price” as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the time of execution of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

43


Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the date of this Note calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

(bb)    “GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

(cc)    “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

(dd)    “Guarantee” means, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring

 

44


in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof, in whole or in part; provided that the term “Guarantee” does not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

(ee)    “Hedging Agreement” means (i) any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates; (ii) any foreign exchange forward contract, currency swap agreement or other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates or (iii) any commodity or raw material futures contract or any other agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in raw material prices.

(ff)    “Holder Pro Rata Amount” means a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the original Principal amount of this Note on the Initial Closing Date and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate original principal amount of all Notes issued to the initial purchasers pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement on the Initial Closing Date.

(gg)     “Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

(hh)    “Initial Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, which date is the date the Company initially issued Initial Notes (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

(ii)    “Indenture” means that certain Indenture for Debt Securities dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and between the Company and the Trustee, as may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, including, without limitation, by any Supplemental Indenture (as defined below).

(jj)    “Interest Conversion Price” means that price which shall be the lower of (i) the applicable Reference Price as in effect on the applicable Interest Date, and (ii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) 95% of the price computed as the quotient of (I) the sum of the VWAP of the Common Stock for each of the three (3) Trading Days during the period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately prior to such applicable Interest Date, divided by (II) three (3) (such period, the “Interest Conversion Price Measuring Period”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Interest Conversion Price Measuring Period.

(kk)    “Interest Date” means, with respect to any given Fiscal Quarter, the first Trading Day of such Fiscal Quarter.

 

45


(ll)    “Interest Rate” means, as of any date of determination, five percent (5%) per annum, subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with Section 1.

(mm)     “Investment” means any beneficial ownership (including stock, partnership or limited liability company interests) of or in any Person, or any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person or the acquisition of all, or substantially all, of the assets of another Person or the purchase of any assets of another Person for greater than the fair market value of such assets.

(nn)    “Lien” means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other similar encumbrance of any kind whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease).

(oo)    “Make-Whole Amount” means, as of any given date and as applicable, in connection with any conversion, redemption or other repayment hereunder, an amount equal to the amount of additional Interest that would accrue under this Note at the Interest Rate then in effect assuming for calculation purposes that the outstanding Principal of this Note as of the Closing Date remained outstanding through and including the Maturity Date.

(pp)     “Maturity Date” shall mean [            ]2; provided, however, the Maturity Date may be extended at the option of the Holder (i) in the event that, and for so long as, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or any event shall have occurred and be continuing that with the passage of time and the failure to cure would result in an Event of Default or (ii) through the date that is twenty (20) Business Days after the consummation of a Fundamental Transaction in the event that a Fundamental Transaction is publicly announced or a Change of Control Notice is delivered prior to the Maturity Date, provided further that if a Holder elects to convert some or all of this Note pursuant to Section 2 hereof, and the Conversion Amount would be limited pursuant to Section 3(d) hereunder, the Maturity Date shall automatically be extended until such time as such provision shall not limit the conversion of this Note.

(qq)    “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

(rr)    “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

2 

Insert first anniversary of the applicable Issuance Date.

 

46


(ss)     “Permitted Lien” means

(1)    any Lien securing Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company owing to the Company or to any of its Subsidiaries;

(2)    Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen’s, workmen’s or repairmen’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanic’s Liens or other similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue by more than 30 calendar days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(3)    Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(4)    pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts or leases, or to secure public or statutory obligations, surety bonds, customs duties and the like, or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and not securing Debt;

(5)    Liens consisting of easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property, and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlords’ Liens and other similar Liens none of which interfere materially with the use of the property covered thereby in the ordinary course of business and which do not, in the Company’s opinion, materially detract from the value of such properties;

(6)    Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the proceeds thereof;

(7)    Liens on assets pursuant to merger agreements, stock or asset purchase agreements and similar agreements in respect of the disposition of such assets;

(8)    judgment liens incurred as a result of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, so long as no Event of Default then exists as a result thereof;

(9)    Liens on property (including Capital Stock (as defined in the Indenture)) of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such merger or consolidation, were not incurred in contemplation thereof and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary;

(10)    Liens in the ordinary course of business on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

 

47


(11)    Liens on cash (or the accounts in which such cash is held) or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Debt;

(12)    Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds thereof) of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(13)    leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets in the ordinary course of business and Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of assets entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(14)    (i) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Company or any Subsidiary has easement rights or on any real property leased by the Company or any Subsidiary and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto and (ii) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings or compulsory purchase order affecting real property;

(15)    Liens securing or arising by reason of any netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of banking or other trading activities; or

(16)    pledges of goods, the related documents of title and/or other related documents arising or created in the ordinary course of business or operations as Liens only for Debt to a bank or financial institution directly relating to the goods or documents on or over which the pledge exists.

(tt)    “Permitted Subsequent Securities” means Common Stock of the Company issued in a marketed public offering of Common Stock, with aggregate gross proceeds not to exceed $300 million.

(uu)     “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.

(vv)    “Price Failure” means, with respect to a particular date of determination, the VWAP of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the twenty (20) Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date of determination fails to exceed $1.25 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions occurring after the Subscription Date) (the “Initial Price Failure Threshold”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during any such measuring period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, and for any period of time, as applicable, the Holder may lower any dollar threshold specified in this definition to any lower dollar threshold, in each case, as specified by the Holder in a written notice to the Company.

 

48


(ww)    “Principal Market” means The Nasdaq Global Select Market (or such applicable Eligible Market in which the Common Stock is then principally traded).

(xx)    “Redemption Notices” means, collectively, the Event of Default Redemption Notices, the Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Notices and the Change of Control Redemption Notices, and each of the foregoing, individually, a “Redemption Notice.”

(yy)    “Redemption Premium” means 115%.

(zz)    “Redemption Prices” means, collectively, Event of Default Redemption Prices, the Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Prices and the Change of Control Redemption Prices, and each of the foregoing, individually, a “Redemption Price.”

(aaa)    “Reference Price” means $[            ]3, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

(bbb)    “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.

(ccc)    “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain securities purchase agreement, dated as of the Subscription Date, by and among the Company and the initial holders of the Notes pursuant to which the Company issued the Notes, as may be amended from time to time.

(ddd)    “Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor rule).

(eee)    “Subscription Date” means August     , 2023.

(fff)    “Subsidiary” means any Person in which the Company, as of any date of determination, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar governing body, and all of the foregoing, collectively, “Subsidiaries”; provided that neither Buckeye Hydrogen Hub Holdings, LLC nor any entity in which it has a direct or indirect ownership interest shall be considered a Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture, the applicable Supplemental Indenture or the Notes issued thereunder

(ggg)    “Subject Entity” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

3 

Insert 150% of the Closing Bid Price as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the Subscription Date.

 

49


(hhh)    “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

(iii)    “Supplemental Indenture” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement, as each such supplemental indenture may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

(jjj)    “Trading Day” means, as applicable, (x) with respect to all price or trading volume determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the Holder or (y) with respect to all determinations other than price determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which The New York Stock Exchange (or any successor thereto) is open for trading of securities.

(kkk)    “Trustee” means Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture, or any successor or any additional trustee appointed with respect to the Notes pursuant to the Indenture.

(lll)    “Volume Failure” means, with respect to a particular date of determination, the aggregate daily dollar trading volume (as reported on Bloomberg) of the Common Stock on the Principal Market on any Trading Day during the twenty (20) Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date of determination (such period, the “Volume Failure Measuring Period”), is less than $10,000,000 (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions occurring after the Subscription Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, and for any period of time, as applicable, the Holder may lower any dollar threshold specified in this definition to any lower dollar threshold, in each case, as specified by the Holder in a written notice to the Company.

(mmm)    “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded), during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “VAP” function (set to 09:30 start time and 16:00 end time) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of

 

50


such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 22. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

32.    DISCLOSURE. Upon delivery by the Company to the Holder (or receipt by the Company from the Holder) of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Note, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company shall on or prior to 9:00 am, New York City time on the Business Day immediately following such notice delivery date, publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder explicitly in writing in such notice (or immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder, as applicable), and in the absence of any such written indication in such notice (or notification from the Company immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder), the Holder shall be entitled to presume that information contained in the notice does not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing contained in this Section 32 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of the Holder, under Section 4(l) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

33.    ABSENCE OF TRADING AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holder is not a fiduciary or agent of the Company and that the Holder shall have no obligation to (a) maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Company or (b) refrain from trading any securities while in possession of such information in the absence of a written non-disclosure agreement signed by an officer of the Holder that explicitly provides for such confidentiality and trading restrictions. In the absence of such an executed, written non-disclosure agreement, the Company acknowledges that the Holder may freely trade in any securities issued by the Company, may possess and use any information provided by the Company in connection with such trading activity, and may disclose any such information to any third party.

[signature page follows]

 

51


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

By:  

 

Name:    
Title:    

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture and the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

Dated:                             , 20    

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Senior Convertible Note - Signature Page


EXHIBIT I

NIKOLA CORPORATION

CONVERSION NOTICE

Reference is made to the Series [A-1][A-2][A-3] Senior Convertible Note Due [2024][2025] (the “Note”) issued to the undersigned by Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Note) of the Note indicated below into shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Note.

 

Date of Conversion:

 

 

Aggregate Principal to be converted:

 

 

Aggregate accrued and unpaid Interest, Make-Whole Amount and accrued and unpaid Late Charges with respect to such portion of the Aggregate Principal and such Aggregate Interest and Aggregate Make-Whole Amount to be converted:

 

 

AGGREGATE CONVERSION AMOUNT
TO BE CONVERTED:

 

 

Please confirm the following information:

Conversion Base Price:

 

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED:

 

 

 

Check here if waiving the right to make a Remainder Eligible Election.

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Note is being converted to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

 

 

Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:


 

Issue to:   

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

DTC Participant:   

 

DTC Number:   

 

  
Account Number:   

 

  

Date:                          ,             

 

Name of Registered Holder

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Tax ID:  

 

E-mail Address:


Exhibit II

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Company hereby (a) acknowledges this Conversion Notice, and (b) hereby directs                      to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Transfer Agent Instructions dated                     , 20     from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by                                 .

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT III

NIKOLA CORPORATION

REMAINDER CONVERSION NOTICE

Reference is made to the Series [A-1][A-2][A-3] Senior Convertible Note Due [2024][2025] (the “Note”) issued to the undersigned by Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Note) of the Note indicated below into shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Note.

 

Original Date of Conversion:   

 

 

Aggregate Principal to be converted:

 

 

Aggregate accrued and unpaid Interest, Make-Whole Amount and accrued and unpaid Late Charges with respect to such portion of the Aggregate Principal and such Aggregate Interest and Aggregate Make-Whole Amount to be converted:

 

 

AGGREGATE CONVERSION AMOUNT
TO BE CONVERTED:

 

 

Please confirm the following information:

Holder is electing to use the following Conversion Price (check below):

 

     the Conversion Base Price:                     
     the Floor Price:                             
     100% of the VWAP of the Common Stock as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the date hereof:                                 
     95% of the VWAP of the Common Stock during the three (3) Trading Days period commencing on                     .


Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued (without adjustment for Base Conversion Shares previously issued):

 

 

Number of Base Conversion Shares previously issued:

 

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED:

 

 

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Note is being converted to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

 

 

Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:   

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

DTC Participant:   

 

DTC Number:   

 

  
Account Number:   

 

  

 

Date:                          ,             

 

 

Name of Registered Holder


By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Tax ID:

 

 

E-mail Address:


Exhibit IV

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Company hereby (a) acknowledges this Conversion Notice, and (b) hereby directs                      to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Transfer Agent Instructions dated                     , 20     from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by                                 .

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 5.1

PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP

2550 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304-1115

August 21, 2023

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering by the Company of $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Series A-1 Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”) and the shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-264068) (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), and related prospectus, dated April 14, 2022, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated August 21, 2023, relating to the offer and sale of the Securities (as so supplemented, the “Prospectus”). The Notes are being sold under the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of August 21, 2023 (the “Agreement”), between the Company and the investors named therein, and the Indenture dated as of August 21, 2023 between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 21, 2023 (as so supplemented, the “Indenture”).

We have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Agreement, the Indenture and such other agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials, and have reviewed and are familiar with such corporate proceedings and satisfied ourselves as to such other matters, as we have considered relevant or necessary as a basis for our opinions set forth in this letter. In such review, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of all agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials submitted to us, the conformity with the originals of all such materials submitted to us as copies (whether or not certified and including facsimiles), the authenticity of the originals of such materials and all materials submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of all natural persons, and that each of the Agreement and the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto other than the Company.

On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the other qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Notes have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Agreement and the Indenture and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (a) the Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and (b) the Conversion Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by the Company upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


Nikola Corporation

August 21, 2023

Page 2

 

Our opinion set forth above in clause (a) above is subject to and limited by the effect of (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and transfer, receivership, conservatorship, arrangement, moratorium and other similar laws affecting or relating to the rights of creditors generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) requirements of reasonableness, good faith, materiality and fair dealing and the discretion of the court before which any matter may be brought.

We have assumed that neither the issuance and delivery of, nor the performance of the Company’s obligations under, the Notes will (a) require any authorization, consent, approval or license of, or exemption from, or registration or filing with, or report or notice to, any governmental unit, agency, commission, department or other authority (a “Governmental Approval”) or (b) violate or conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its affiliates is a party or by which the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties may be bound, (ii) any Governmental Approval that may be applicable to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties, (iii) any order, decision, judgment or decree that may be applicable to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties or (iv) any applicable law (other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the law of the State of New York in each case as in effect on the date hereof).

Our opinions set forth in this letter are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the law of the State of New York, in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on the date hereof and the incorporation thereof in the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within 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/ Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP


Exhibit 10.1

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of August 21, 2023, is by and among Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation with offices located at 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040 (the “Company”), and each of the investors listed on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto (individually, a “Buyer” and collectively, the “Buyers”).

RECITALS

A.    The Company and each Buyer desire to enter into this transaction to purchase Notes (as defined below) pursuant to a currently effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which has sufficient availability for the issuance of the Securities (as defined below) on each Closing Date (as defined below) (Registration Number 333-264068) (the “Registration Statement”) and has been declared effective in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

B.     The Company has authorized (i) a new series of Series A-1 Senior Convertible Notes of the Company, in the aggregate original principal amount of $125,000,000, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Initial Notes”), which Initial Notes shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock (as defined below) (the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Initial Notes, including, without limitation, upon conversion or otherwise, collectively, the “Initial Conversion Shares”) and (ii) one or more new series of Series A-2 Senior Convertible Notes and/or Series A-3 Senior Convertible Notes, as applicable, in an aggregate original principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Additional Notes”, and together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”), which Additional Notes shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock (as defined below) (the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Additional Notes, including, without limitation, upon conversion or otherwise, collectively, the “Additional Conversion Shares”, and together with the Initial Conversion Shares, the “Conversion Shares”), in each case, in accordance with, and issued pursuant to and by, the provisions of (x) an Indenture dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as defined below), by and between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee”), in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Indenture”), and (y) one or more supplemental indentures with respect to the Notes in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (each, a “Supplemental Indenture”, and collectively, the “Supplemental Indentures”).

C.    Each Buyer wishes to purchase, and the Company wishes to sell, upon the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, at the Initial Closing (as defined below) a Note in the aggregate original principal amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers (which aggregate principal amount for all Buyers shall not exceed $125,000,000) (each an “Initial Note”, and collectively, the “Initial Notes”).

D.    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company may require each Buyer to participate in one or more Additional Closings (as defined below) for the purchase by such Buyer, and the sale by the Company, of one or more Additional Notes with an aggregate original principal amount for all Additional Closings not to exceed the maximum


aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers (which aggregate principal amount for all Buyers for all Additional Closings shall not exceed $200,000,000).

E.    The Notes and the Conversion Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

F.    The Company and the Buyer are parties to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of December 30, 2022 (the “Prior Agreement”), and effective upon and subject to the execution of this Agreement, the Prior Agreement shall be terminated and of no further force and effect.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Buyer hereby agree as follows:

1.    PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES.

(a)    Purchase of Notes

(i)    Purchase of Initial Notes. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Sections 6(a) and 7(a) below, the Company shall issue and sell to each Buyer, and each Buyer severally, but not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company on the Initial Closing Date (as defined below) an Initial Note in the original principal amount as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers (the “Initial Closing”).

(ii)    Purchase of Additional Notes. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Sections 1(b)(ii), 6(b) and 7(b) below, the Company shall issue and sell to such Buyer, and such Buyer severally, but not jointly, with any other Buyer, shall purchase from the Company, on the applicable Additional Closing Date (as defined below), such aggregate number of Additional Notes as is set forth in such applicable Additional Closing Notice (as defined below) (each such closing of the purchase of such Additional Notes, each, an “Additional Closing”).

(b)    Closing. Each of the Initial Closing and any Additional Closings (collectively, the “Closings”) of the purchase of Notes by the Buyers shall occur at the offices of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.

(i) Initial Closing. The date and time of the Initial Closing (the “Initial Closing Date”) shall be 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the first (1st) Business Day on which the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 6(a) and 7(a) below are satisfied or waived (or such other date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and each Buyer). As used herein “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-

 

2


place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

(ii)    Additional Closing.

(1)    Additional Closings at Buyer’s Election. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Sections 6(b) and 7(b) below (the “Additional Closing Conditions”), each Buyer, severally, shall have the right, exercisable by e-mail delivery of a written notice to the Company (each, an “Additional Optional Closing Notice”, and the date thereof, each an “Additional Optional Closing Notice Date”) to purchase, and to require the Company to sell to such Buyer, at one or more Additional Closings, up to such maximum aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes as set forth opposite its name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers (each, an “Additional Optional Notes Amount”). Each Additional Optional Closing Notice shall specify (x) the proposed date and time of the applicable Additional Closing (which, if unspecified in such Additional Optional Closing Notice, shall be the fifth (5th) Trading Day after such Additional Optional Closing Notice or such other date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and each Buyer, each, an “Additional Optional Closing Date,”) and (y) the applicable Additional Optional Notes Amount of the Additional Note to be issued to such Buyer at such Additional Closing, which amount shall be not less than $10,000,000. The Buyers’ rights to effect any Additional Optional Closings hereunder shall terminate upon the eighteen (18) - month anniversary of the date hereof (or such earlier date as the Buyers shall determine, in their sole discretion, by delivery of a written notice to the Company) (the “Additional Optional Closing Expiration Date.”

(2)    Additional Closings at Company’s Election. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the Additional Notice Conditions (as defined below) and the Additional Closing Conditions, at any time after the Initial Closing Date, the Company may deliver one or more written notices at any time less than $3,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes remain outstanding (each, an “Additional Mandatory Closing Notice”, and together with each Additional Optional Closing Notice, each an “Additional Closing Notice”, and the date of each Additional Mandatory Closing Notice, each, an “Additional Mandatory Closing Notice Date”, and together with each Additional Optional Closing Notice Date, each an “Additional Closing Notice Date”) to the Buyers, with a copy to the Trustee, executed by the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Company, (A) certifying that the Company has satisfied the Additional Closing Volume Condition (as defined below), the Additional Closing Price Condition (as defined below) as of such Additional Closing Notice Date and (II) no Equity Conditions Failure (as defined below) exists (or detailing any such Equity Conditions Failure and specifying that no Additional Closing shall occur unless the Buyers waive such Equity Conditions Failure) as of such Additional Mandatory Closing Notice Date

 

3


(the “Additional Notice Conditions”), (B) confirming the aggregate principal amount of the Additional Notes to be purchased by the Buyers (which, with respect to any given Additional Closing, shall not exceed $125,000,000 in the aggregate (or such other amount as the Company and the Buyers shall mutually agree)), the pro rata amount to be purchased by such Buyer (which, together with the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Notes issued at any prior Additional Closings, shall not exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount as set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers), (C) setting forth the proposed Additional Closing Date (which shall be the fifth (5th) Trading Day after such Additional Closing Notice or such other date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and each Buyer, each, an “Additional Mandatory Closing Date,” and together with each other Additional Mandatory Closing Date and Additional Optional Closing Date, each, an “Additional Closing Date”, and together with the Initial Closing Date, each a “Closing Date”) and (D) attaching the draft applicable additional Supplemental Indenture and Prospectus Supplement (as defined below) with respect thereto. Each Additional Mandatory Closing Notice shall be irrevocable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Buyers shall not be required to consummate any Additional Closing if on the Additional Closing Date if the Additional Closing Volume Condition, the Additional Closing Price Condition or any Additional Notice Condition or Additional Closing Condition, as applicable, has not been satisfied in full. The Company’s rights to effect any Additional Closings hereunder shall terminate upon the eighteen (18) - month anniversary of the date hereof (or such earlier date as the Company shall determine, in its sole discretion, by delivery of a written notice to the Buyers) (the “Additional Mandatory Closing Expiration Date”, and together with the Additional Optional Closing Expiration Date, each an “Additional Closing Expiration Date”).

(iii)    Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Equity Conditions” means, with respect to any given date of determination: (i) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to the applicable date of determination and ending on and including the applicable date of determination (the “Equity Conditions Measuring Period”), the Common Stock (including all Underlying Securities) is listed or designated for quotation (as applicable) on an Eligible Market (as defined below) and shall not have been suspended from trading on an Eligible Market (other than suspensions of not more than two (2) days and occurring prior to the applicable date of determination due to business announcements by the Company) nor shall delisting or suspension by an Eligible Market have been threatened (with a reasonable prospect of delisting occurring after giving effect to all applicable notice, appeal, compliance and hearing periods) or reasonably likely to occur or pending as evidenced by (A) a writing by such Eligible Market or (B) the Company falling below the minimum listing maintenance requirements of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (ii) during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company shall have delivered all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes then

 

4


outstanding on a timely basis in accordance with the terms thereof and all other shares of capital stock required to be delivered by the Company on a timely basis as set forth in the other Transaction Documents; (iii) any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Additional Notes to be issued at the applicable Additional Closing (calculated assuming an Alternate Conversion (as defined in the Notes) as of such date of determination and without regards to any limitations on conversion set forth in the Notes) (each, a “Required Minimum Securities Amount”) may be issued in full without violating the rules or regulations of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (iv) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no public announcement of a pending, proposed or intended Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Notes) shall have occurred which has not been abandoned, terminated or consummated; (v) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no Current Public Information Failure (as defined in the Notes) then exists or is continuing; (vi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Buyers shall not be in (and no other holder of Notes shall be in) possession of any material, non-public information provided to any of them by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, employees, officers, representatives, agents or the like; (vii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company otherwise shall have been in compliance with each, and shall not have breached any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, including, without limitation, the Company shall not have failed to timely make any payment pursuant to any Transaction Document, in each case, which has not been waived; (viii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period (A) no Authorized Share Failure shall exist or be continuing and the Required Minimum Securities Amount of shares of Common Stock are available under the certificate of incorporation of the Company and reserved by the Company to be issued pursuant to the Additional Notes to be issued in the applicable Additional Closing and (B) the Required Minimum Securities Amount of shares of Common Stock may be issued in full without resulting in an Authorized Share Failure (as defined in the Notes); (xi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred and there shall not exist an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) or an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default (regardless of whether any holder of Notes has submitted an Event of Default Redemption Notice), in each case, which has not been waived; (xii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no bona fide dispute shall exist, by and between any of holder of Notes, the Company, the Principal Market (or such applicable Eligible Market in which the Common Stock of the Company is then principally trading) and/or FINRA with respect to any term or provision of any Note or any other Transaction Document, (xiii) the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the event requiring the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions are duly authorized and listed and eligible for trading without restriction on an Eligible Market.

 

5


(2)    “Equity Conditions Failure” means that on any day during the period commencing on the applicable Additional Closing Notice Date through, and including, such applicable Additional Closing Date, the Equity Conditions have not been satisfied (or waived in writing by the Buyers).

(c)    Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Notes to be purchased by each Buyer (the “Initial Purchase Price”) shall be the amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (5) on the Schedule of Buyers. The aggregate purchase price for the Additional Notes to be purchased by each Buyer at any given Additional Closing (each, an “Additional Purchase Price”, and together with the Initial Purchase Price, each, a “Purchase Price”) shall be $1,000 for each $1,000 of aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes to be issued in such Additional Closing (which, together with the Additional Purchase Price of each prior Additional Closings, shall not exceed the aggregate amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (6) on the Schedule of Buyers).

(d)    Form of Payment.

(i)    Initial Closing. On the Initial Closing Date, (i) each Buyer shall pay its respective Initial Purchase Price (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(j)) to the Company for the Initial Notes to be issued and sold to such Buyer at the Initial Closing, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Initial Flow of Funds Letter (as defined below) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to each Buyer an Initial Note in the aggregate original principal amount as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers, duly executed on behalf of the Company and registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee.

(ii)    Additional Closing. On each Additional Closing Date, (i) each Buyer shall pay its respective applicable Additional Purchase Price for such Additional Closing (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(j)) to the Company for the Additional Notes to be issued and sold to such Buyer at such Additional Closing, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the applicable Additional Flow of Funds Letter (as defined below) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to each Buyer an Additional Note in the aggregate original principal amount as is set forth in the applicable Additional Closing Notice to be issued to such Buyer, duly executed on behalf of the Company and registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee.

2.    BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Each Buyer, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company with respect to only itself that, as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date:

(a)    Organization; Authority. Such Buyer is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with the requisite power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 

6


(b)    Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Buyer and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Buyer enforceable against such Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.

(c)    No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by such Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by such Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Buyer, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture, instrument or obligation to which such Buyer is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to such Buyer or by which any of its properties or assets is bound or affected, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Buyer to perform its obligations hereunder.

(d)    No Group. Other than affiliates of such Buyer who are also Buyers under this Agreement, such Buyer is not under common control with or acting in concert with any other Buyer and is not part of a “group” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).

(e)    No Governmental Review. Such Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

(f)    Not an Affiliate. Such Buyer is not an officer, director or an Affiliate of the Company. “Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144. With respect to the Buyer, without limitation, any Person owning, owned by, or under common ownership with the Buyer, and any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as the Buyer will be deemed to be an Affiliate.

(g)    No Other Placement Agent. Such Buyer has not engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

(h)    Manipulation of Price. Neither such Buyer, nor to the knowledge of such Buyer, any Person acting on its behalf has, directly or indirectly, (i) taken any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company or (iv) paid or agreed to pay any Person for research services with respect to any securities of the Company.

 

7


(i)    No Additional Agreements. Such Buyer does not have any agreement or understanding with the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than as specified in the Transaction Documents.

3.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

The Company represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that, as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date:

(a)    Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are entities duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are formed, and have the requisite corporate power and authority to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign entity to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary, taken as a whole, (ii) the transactions contemplated hereby or in any of the other Transaction Documents or any other agreements or instruments to be entered into in connection herewith or therewith or (iii) the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents (as defined below). “Subsidiaries” means any Person in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (I) owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities or other voting interests or (II) has the ability to elect 50% or more of the directors or similar managers, and each of the foregoing, is individually referred to herein as a “Subsidiary.” Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Notes) as of the applicable Closing Date, has no material assets or liabilities.

(b)    Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other applicable Transaction Documents by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Notes and the reservation for issuance and issuance of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes) have been duly authorized by the Company’s board of directors (other than the filing with the SEC of (A) the applicable 8-K Filing (as defined below), (B) a prospectus supplement in connection with the applicable Closing as required by the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act (the “Prospectus Supplement”) supplementing the base prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), (C) the Indenture (and/or any amendment or supplement thereto), (D) solely with respect to the Initial Closing, a Form T-1, (E) the filing of an

 

8


Additional Listing Application with the Principal Market and (F) any other filings as may be required by any state securities agencies (collectively, the “Required Approvals”)) and no further filing, consent or authorization is required by the Company, its board of directors or its stockholders or other governing body. This Agreement has been, and the other applicable Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party will be prior to such Closing, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Custodian Agreements, the Indenture, the Supplemental Indentures, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions (as defined below) and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.

(c)    Issuance of Securities; Registration Statement. The issuance of the Notes are duly authorized and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, mortgages, defects, claims, liens, pledges, charges, taxes, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, security interests and other encumbrances (collectively “Liens”) with respect to the issuance thereof. As of the applicable Closing, the Company shall have reserved from its duly authorized capital stock not less than the Required Reserve Amount (as defined in the Notes). Upon issuance or conversion in accordance with the Notes, the Conversion Shares, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights or Liens with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. The issuance by the Company of the Securities has been registered under the 1933 Act, the Securities are being issued pursuant to the Registration Statement and all of the Securities are freely transferable and, upon issuance to the Buyers, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Buyers set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement, all of the Securities shall be freely tradable by each of the Buyers without restriction. The Registration Statement is effective and available for the issuance of the Securities thereunder and the Company has not received any notice that the SEC has issued or intends to issue a stop-order with respect to the Registration Statement or that the SEC otherwise has suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, either temporarily or permanently, or intends or has threatened in writing to do so. The “Plan of Distribution” section under the Registration Statement permits the issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder and as contemplated by the other Transaction Documents. Upon receipt of the Securities, each of the Buyers will have good and marketable title to the Securities. The Registration Statement and any prospectus included therein, including the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and all other applicable laws and regulations. At the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective, at the date of this Agreement and at each deemed effective date thereof pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2) of the 1933 Act, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to

 

9


state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (including, without limitation the Prospectus Supplement), at the time the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was issued and at the applicable Closing Date, complied, and will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and did not, and will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company meets all of the requirements for the use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act for the offering and sale of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and the SEC has not notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 401(g)(1) under the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x) under the 1933 Act. At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the 1933 Act) relating to any of the Securities, the Company was not and is not an “Ineligible Issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act). The Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the SEC to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the 1933 Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the SEC and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the SEC. As of the effective time of the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement complied and will comply in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the TIA (as defined below) and did not contain and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to (i) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the TIA or (ii) any statements or omissions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any underwriter or placement agent furnished to the Company in writing by such underwriter or placement agent expressly for use therein. The Company (i) has not distributed any offering material in connection with the offer or sale of any of the Securities and (ii) until no Buyer holds any of the Securities, shall not distribute any offering material in connection with the offer or sale of any of the Securities to, or by, any of the Buyers (if required), in each case, other than the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement.

(d)    No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Notes, the Conversion Shares and the reservation for issuance of the Conversion Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below) (including, without limitation, any certificate of designation contained therein), Bylaws (as defined below), certificate of

 

10


formation, memorandum of association, articles of association, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) in any respect under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including, without limitation, foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Principal Market”) and including all applicable foreign, federal and state laws, rules and regulations) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder.

(e)    Consents. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Buyers and as otherwise provided herein, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent from, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with (other than the Required Approvals), any Governmental Entity (as defined below) or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been or will be obtained or effected on or prior to such Closing Date, and the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Company from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company is not in violation of the requirements of the Principal Market and has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which could reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. “Governmental Entity” means any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality, whether federal, state, local or foreign, and any applicable industry self-regulatory organization.

(f)    Acknowledgment Regarding Buyers Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Buyer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that no Buyer is (i) an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, “Rule 144”)) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) to its knowledge, a “beneficial owner” of more than 10% of the shares of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act). The Company further acknowledges that no Buyer is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and any advice given by a Buyer or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to such Buyer’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Buyer that the Company’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives.

 

11


(g)    Fees. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, or brokers’ commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer or its investment advisor) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

(h)    No Integrated or Aggregated Offering. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to require approval of stockholders of the Company under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated for quotation. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates nor any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps that would cause the offering of any of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings of securities of the Company. No offering of any of the Securities contemplated hereby will aggregate with any prior offerings of securities of the Company.

(i)    Dilutive Effect. The Company understands and acknowledges that the number of Conversion Shares will increase in certain circumstances. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Conversion Shares pursuant to the terms of the Notes in accordance with this Agreement and the Notes is, in each case, absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.

(j)    Application of Takeover Protections; Rights Agreement. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, interested stockholder, business combination, poison pill (including, without limitation, any distribution under a rights agreement), stockholder rights plan or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other organizational documents or the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or otherwise which is or could become applicable to any Buyer as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Securities and any Buyer’s ownership of the Securities. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or a change in control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(k)    SEC Documents; Financial Statements. Since March 11, 2022, the Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, proxy statements, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act (all of the Company’s filings with the SEC during the past two (2) years prior to the date hereof and

 

12


all exhibits and appendices included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered or has made available to the Buyers or their respective representatives true, correct and complete copies of each of the SEC Documents not available on the EDGAR system that has been requested in writing (including e-mails from any Buyer to the Company) by any Buyer. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect as of the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate). The reserves, if any, established by the Company or the lack of reserves, if applicable, are reasonable based upon facts and circumstances known by the Company on the date hereof and there are no loss contingencies that are required to be accrued by the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are not provided for by the Company in its financial statements or otherwise. The Company is not currently contemplating to amend or restate any of the financial statements (including, without limitation, any notes with respect thereto) included in the SEC Documents (the “Financial Statements”), nor is the Company currently aware of facts or circumstances which would require the Company to amend or restate any of the Financial Statements, in each case, in order for any of the Financial Statements to be in compliance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Company has not been informed by its independent accountants that they recommend that the Company amend or restate any of the Financial Statements or that there is any need for the Company to amend or restate any of the Financial Statements.

(l)    Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements contained in a Form 10-K, there has been no material adverse change and no material adverse development in the business, assets, liabilities, properties, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements contained in a Form 10-K, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) declared or paid any dividends, (ii) sold any material assets, individually or in the aggregate, outside of the ordinary course of business or (iii) made any capital expenditures, individually or in the aggregate, outside of the ordinary course of business. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any steps to seek protection pursuant to any law or statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation or winding up, nor does the

 

13


Company or any Subsidiary have any knowledge or reason to believe that any of their respective creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or any actual knowledge of any fact which would reasonably lead a creditor to do so. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries, individually and on a consolidated basis, are not as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur at such Closing, will not be Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this Section 3(l), “Insolvent” means, (i) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets is less than the amount required to pay the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total Indebtedness (as defined below), (B) the Company and its Subsidiaries are unable to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Company and its Subsidiaries intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature; and (ii) with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary, individually, (A) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) assets is less than the amount required to pay its respective total Indebtedness, (B) the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) is unable to pay its respective debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (C) the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) intends to incur or believes that it will incur debts that would be beyond its respective ability to pay as such debts mature. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any business or in any transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or in any transaction, for which the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s remaining assets constitute unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

(m)    No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities, Developments or Circumstances. Except as set forth in the SEC documents, no event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or is reasonably expected to exist or occur with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or condition (financial or otherwise), that (i) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws on a Form 8-K filed with the SEC which has not been publicly announced, or (ii) could have a Material Adverse Effect.

(n)    Conduct of Business; Regulatory Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its Certificate of Incorporation, any certificate of designation, preferences or rights of any other outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Bylaws or their organizational charter, certificate of formation, memorandum of association, articles of association, Certificate of Incorporation or certificate of incorporation or bylaws, respectively. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any judgment, decree or order or any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will conduct its business in violation of any of the foregoing, except in all cases for possible violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company is not in violation of any of the rules, regulations or requirements of the Principal Market and has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the Common Stock by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future. During the two years prior to the date hereof, (i)

 

14


the Common Stock has been listed or designated for quotation on the Principal Market, (ii) trading in the Common Stock has not been suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market and (iii) except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company has received no communication, written or oral, from the SEC or the Principal Market regarding the suspension or delisting of the Common Stock from the Principal Market. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess such certificates, authorizations or permits would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit. There is no agreement, commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(o)    Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, the Company’s subsidiary or any director, officer, agent, employee, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other person acting for or on behalf of the foregoing (individually and collectively, a “Company Affiliate”) have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, nor has any Company Affiliate offered, paid, promised to pay, or authorized the payment of any money, or offered, given, promised to give, or authorized the giving of anything of value, to any officer, employee or any other person acting in an official capacity for any Governmental Entity to any political party or official thereof or to any candidate for political office (individually and collectively, a “Government Official”) or to any person under circumstances where such Company Affiliate knew or was aware of a high probability that all or a portion of such money or thing of value would be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to any Government Official, for the purpose of:

(i)    (A) influencing any act or decision of such Government Official in his/her official capacity, (B) inducing such Government Official to do or omit to do any act in violation of his/her lawful duty, (C) securing any improper advantage, or (D) inducing such Government Official to influence or affect any act or decision of any Governmental Entity, or

(ii)    assisting the Company or its Subsidiaries in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(p)    Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

15


(q)    Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, none of the officers or directors of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company’s stockholders, the officers or directors of any stockholder of the Company, or any family member or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has either directly or indirectly any interest in, or is a party to, any transaction that is required to be disclosed as a related party transaction pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the 1933 Act.

(r)    Equity Capitalization.

(i)    Definitions:

(A)    “Common Stock” means (x) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (y) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

(B)    “Preferred Stock” means (x) the Company’s blank check preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, the terms of which may be designated by the board of directors of the Company in a certificate of designations and (y) any capital stock into which such preferred stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such preferred stock (other than a conversion of such preferred stock into Common Stock in accordance with the terms of such certificate of designations).

(ii)    Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock. As of the close of business on August 18, 2023, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (A) 1,600,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which, 856,326,046 are issued and outstanding and 66,265,238 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to Convertible Securities (as defined below) (other than the Notes) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock and (B) 150,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. No shares of Common Stock are held in the treasury of the Company. “Convertible Securities” means any capital stock or other security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is at any time and under any circumstances directly or indirectly convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any capital stock or other security of the Company (including, without limitation, Common Stock) or any of its Subsidiaries.

(iii)    Valid Issuance. All of such outstanding shares are duly authorized and have been, or upon issuance will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(iv)    Existing Securities; Obligations. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents: (A) none of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shares, interests or capital stock is subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or Liens suffered or permitted by the Company or any Subsidiary; (B) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts,

 

16


commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares, interests or capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (D) there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities; and (E) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.

(v)    Organizational Documents. The Company has furnished to the Buyers true, correct and complete copies of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Company’s bylaws, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), and the terms of all Convertible Securities and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto, to the extent not available on EDGAR.

(s)    Indebtedness and Other Contracts. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, (i) has any material outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound, (ii) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument, the violation of which, or default under which, by the other party(ies) to such contract, agreement or instrument could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) has any financing statements securing obligations in any amounts filed in connection with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except the breach of which would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) is in violation of any term of, or in default under, any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, except where such violations and defaults would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, or (v) is a party to any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, the performance of which, in the judgment of the Company’s officers, has or is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any liabilities or obligations required to be disclosed in the SEC Documents which are not so disclosed in the SEC Documents, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses and which, individually or in the aggregate, do not or could not have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement: (x) “Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication (A) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including, without limitation, “capital leases” in accordance with GAAP) (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (C) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (D) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so

 

17


evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (E) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (F) all monetary obligations under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in connection with GAAP, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, is classified as a capital lease, (G) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) owned by any Person, even though the Person which owns such assets or property has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, and (H) all Contingent Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (A) through (G) above; (y) “Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto and (z) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and any Governmental Entity or any department or agency thereof.

(t)    Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by the Principal Market, any court, other Governmental Entity, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Common Stock or any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ officers or directors, whether of a civil or criminal nature or otherwise, in their capacities as such, which is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. No current director, officer or, to the Company’s knowledge, employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has willfully violated 18 U.S.C. §1519 or engaged in spoliation in reasonable anticipation of litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, there has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the SEC involving the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any current or former director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The SEC has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, including, without limitation, the Registration Statement. The Company is not aware of any fact which might result in or form the basis for any such action, suit, arbitration, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Entity.

(u)    Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and the Company has no reason to

 

18


believe that it will be unable to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(v)    Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or employs any member of a union. The Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relations with their employees are good. No current executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) promulgated under the 1933 Act) or other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has notified the Company or any such Subsidiary that such officer intends to leave the Company or any such Subsidiary or otherwise terminate such officer’s employment with the Company or any such Subsidiary. No current executive officer or other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, or to the knowledge of the Company, is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement, non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant, and the continued employment of each such executive officer or other key employee (as the case may be) does not, to the knowledge to the Company, subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any material liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations respecting labor, employment and employment practices and benefits, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where failure to be in compliance would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(w)    Title. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case except as described in the SEC Documents.

(x)    Intellectual Property Rights. Except as described in the SEC Documents, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries own or have a valid license to all patents, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and other intellectual property, including any and all registrations, applications for registration, and goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) currently employed by them in connection with the business as described in the SEC Documents, except where the failure to own, possess, license, have the right to use any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, which are material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as described in the SEC Documents are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and there

 

19


is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property Rights; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of Intellectual Property Rights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) all Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries is owned solely by the Company or its Subsidiaries and is owned free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, defects and other restrictions; (v) to the Company’s knowledge, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company, except to the extent that the infringement, misappropriation or violation, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (vi) to the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights of a third party; (vii) all employees or contractors engaged in the development of Intellectual Property Rights on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary have executed an invention assignment agreement whereby such employees or contractors presently assign all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, and to the Company’s knowledge no such agreement has been breached or violated; and (viii) the Company and its Subsidiaries use, and have used, commercially reasonable efforts to appropriately maintain all information intended to be maintained as a trade secret.

(y)    Environmental Laws. (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and all Environmental Laws (as defined below), (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where, in each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The term “Environmental Laws” means all federal, state, local or foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including, without limitation, laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.

(ii)    No Hazardous Materials:

(A)    have been disposed of or otherwise released from any real property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in violation of any Environmental Laws; or

 

20


(B)    to the knowledge of the Company, are present on, over, beneath, in or upon any real property or any portion thereof in quantities that would constitute a violation of any Environmental Laws. No prior use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any real property has occurred that violates any Environmental Laws, which violation would be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(iii)    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of any other person who or entity which has stored, treated, recycled, disposed of or otherwise located on any real property any Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, such substances as asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

(iv)    None of the real properties are on any federal or state “Superfund” list or Liability Information System (“CERCLIS”) list or any state environmental agency list of sites under consideration for CERCLIS, nor subject to any environmental related Liens.

(z)    Subsidiary Rights. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has the unrestricted right to vote, and (subject to limitations imposed by applicable law) to receive dividends and distributions on, all capital securities of its Subsidiaries as owned by the Company or such Subsidiary.

(aa)    Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has timely made or filed all foreign, federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has timely paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply except in each case as would not be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries know of no basis for any such claim. The Company is not operated in such a manner as to qualify as a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297 of the Code. The net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for United States federal income tax purposes of the consolidated group of which the Company is the common parent, if any, shall not be adversely effected by the transactions contemplated hereby. The transactions contemplated hereby do not constitute an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, thereby preserving the Company’s ability to utilize such NOLs.

(bb)    Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintains internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 1934 Act) that is effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset and liability accountability, (iii) access to assets or incurrence of liabilities is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets and liabilities is compared with the existing assets and liabilities at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with

 

21


respect to any difference. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, including, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and its principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or correspondence from any accountant, Governmental Entity or other Person relating to any potential material weakness or significant deficiency in any part of the internal controls over financial reporting of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(cc)    Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and an unconsolidated or other off balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Company in its 1934 Act filings and is not so disclosed or that otherwise could be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(dd)    Investment Company Status. The Company is not, and upon consummation of the sale of the Securities will not be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(ee)    Acknowledgement Regarding Buyers Trading Activity. It is understood and acknowledged by the Company that (i) following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in accordance with the terms thereof, none of the Buyers have been asked by the Company to agree, nor has any Buyer agreed with the Company, to desist from effecting any transactions in or with respect to (including, without limitation, purchasing or selling, long and/or short) any securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold any of the Securities for any specified term; (ii) any Buyer, and counterparties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Buyer is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the Common Stock which was established prior to such Buyer’s knowledge of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; (iii) each Buyer shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counterparty in any “derivative” transaction; and (iv) each Buyer may rely on the Company’s obligation to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon conversion or exchange, as applicable, of the Securities as and when required pursuant to the Transaction Documents for purposes of effecting trading in the Common Stock of the Company. The Company further understands and acknowledges that following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents pursuant to the 8-K Filing (as defined below) one or more Buyers may engage in hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock) at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value and/or number of the Conversion Shares deliverable with respect to the Securities are being determined and such hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock), if any, can reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interest in the Company both at and after the time the hedging and/or

 

22


trading activities are being conducted. Subject to compliance by each Buyer with applicable law, the Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging and/or trading activities do not constitute a breach of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Transaction Document or any of the documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.

(ff)    Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, (i) taken any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iv) paid or agreed to pay any Person for research services with respect to any securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(gg)    U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has ever been, and so long as any of the Securities are held by any of the Buyers, shall become, a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code, and the Company and each Subsidiary shall so certify upon any Buyer’s request.

(hh)    Transfer Taxes. On such Closing Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income or similar taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the issuance, sale and transfer of the Securities to be sold to each Buyer hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company, and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been complied with.

(ii)    Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

(jj)    Illegal or Unauthorized Payments; Political Contributions. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other business entity or enterprise with which the Company or any Subsidiary is or has been affiliated or associated, has, directly or indirectly, made or authorized any payment, contribution or gift of money, property, or services, whether or not in contravention of applicable law, (i) as a kickback or bribe to any Person or (ii) to any political organization, or the holder of or any aspirant to any elective or appointive public office except for personal political contributions not involving the direct or indirect use of funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

23


(kk)    Money Laundering. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with, and have not previously violated, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and all other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the laws, regulations and Executive Orders and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, including, but not limited, to (i) Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 entitled, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism” (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)); and (ii) any regulations contained in 31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V.

(ll)    Stock Option Plans(b) . Each stock option granted by the Company was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the applicable stock option plan of the Company and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

(mm)    No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers(c) . There are no material disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Company to arise, between the Company and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Company and the Company is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers which could affect the Company’s ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents. In addition, on or prior to the date hereof, the Company had discussions with its accountants about its financial statements previously filed with the SEC. Based on those discussions, the Company has no reason to believe that it will need to restate any such financial statements or any part thereof.

(nn)    No Additional Agreements. The Company does not have any agreement or understanding with any Buyer with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than as specified in the Transaction Documents.

(oo)    Public Utility Holding Company Act. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company,” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.

(pp)    Federal Power Act. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation as a “public utility” under the Federal Power Act, as amended.

(qq)    Ranking of Notes. No Indebtedness of the Company, at such Closing, will be senior to the Notes in right of payment, whether with respect to payment or redemptions, interest, damages, upon liquidation or dissolution or otherwise (other than Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens (as defined in the Notes)).

 

24


(rr)    Cybersecurity. The Company and its Subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data, including “Personal Data,” used in connection with their businesses. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, driver’s license number, passport number, credit card number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679); (iv) any information which would qualify as “protected health information” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (collectively, “HIPAA”); and (v) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. There have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person or such, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(ss)    Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in compliance with all applicable state and federal data privacy and security laws and regulations, including without limitation HIPAA, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to prepare to comply with, and since May 25, 2018, have been and currently are in compliance with, the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union (GDPR) (Regulation EU 2016/679) (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”) except in each case, where such would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company and its Subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling, and analysis of Personal Data (the “Policies”). The Company and its Subsidiaries have at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have, to the knowledge of the Company, been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Company further represents that, except where such event would not, either

 

25


individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither it nor any Subsidiary: (i) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.

(tt)    Registration Rights. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, no holder of securities of the Company has rights to the registration of any securities of the Company because of the filing of the Registration Statement or the issuance of the Securities hereunder that could expose the Company to material liability or any Buyer to any liability or that could impair the Company’s ability to consummate the issuance and sale of the Securities in the manner, and at the times, contemplated hereby, which rights have not been waived by the holder thereof as of the date hereof.

(uu)    Qualification Under Trust Indenture Act. Prior to any issuance of Additional Notes hereunder, the Company shall qualify or cause or arrange for the Trustee to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”) and enter into any necessary supplemental indentures in connection therewith and, so long as the Notes remain outstanding, the Indenture shall be maintained in compliance with the TIA.

(vv)    Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Buyers or their agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, non-public information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the existence of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Company understands and confirms that each of the Buyers will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All disclosure provided to the Buyers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the schedules to this Agreement, furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All of the written information furnished after the date hereof by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to each Buyer pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, taken as a whole, will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date on which such information is so provided and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred or information exists with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their business, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or conditions (financial or otherwise), which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure at or before the date hereof or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly disclosed. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 2.

 

26


4.    COVENANTS.

(a)    Best Efforts. Each Buyer shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 6 of this Agreement. The Company shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.

(b)    Amendments to the Registration Statement; Prospectus Supplements. Except as provided in this Agreement and other than periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act, the Company shall not file with the SEC any amendment to the Registration Statement that relates to the Buyer, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or file with the SEC any Prospectus Supplement that relates to the Buyer, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby with respect to which (a) the Buyer shall not previously have been advised, (b) the Company shall not have given due consideration to any comments thereon received from the Buyer or its counsel, or (c) the Buyer shall reasonably object after being so advised, unless the Company reasonably has determined that it is necessary to amend the Registration Statement or make any supplement to the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act or any other applicable law or regulation, in which case the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) so inform the Buyer, the Buyer shall be provided with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon any disclosure relating to the Buyer and the Company shall expeditiously furnish to the Buyer an electronic copy thereof. In addition, for so long as, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Buyer, the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act) is required to be delivered in connection with any acquisition or sale of Securities by the Buyer, the Company shall not file any Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities without delivering or making available a copy of such Prospectus Supplement, together with the Prospectus, to the Buyer promptly.

(c)    Prospectus Delivery. Immediately prior to execution of this Agreement, the Company shall have delivered to the Buyer, and as soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement and on each Additional Closing Date the Company shall file, Prospectus Supplements with respect to the Securities to be issued on the applicable Closing Date, as required under, and in conformity with, the 1933 Act, including Rule 424(b) thereunder. The Company shall provide the Buyer a reasonable opportunity to comment on a draft of each Prospectus Supplement, shall give due consideration to all such comments and, subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) hereof, shall deliver or make available to the Buyer, without charge, an electronic copy of each form of Prospectus Supplement, together with the Prospectus, on such Closing Date. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus (and of any Prospectus Supplements thereto) in accordance with the provisions of the 1933 Act and with the securities or “blue sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Securities may be sold by the Buyer, in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities and for such period of time thereafter as the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act) is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities. If during such period of time any event shall occur that in the judgment of the Company and its counsel is required to be set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or should be set forth therein in order to make the statements made therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement or amend

 

27


the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act or any other applicable law or regulation, the Company shall forthwith prepare and, subject to Section 4(b) above, file with the SEC an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus Supplement to the Prospectus and shall expeditiously furnish or make available to the Buyer an electronic copy thereof.

(d)    Stop Orders. The Company shall advise the Buyer promptly: (i) of the Company’s receipt of notice of any request by the SEC for amendment of or a supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or for any additional information; (ii) of the Company’s receipt of notice of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, or of the suspension of qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (iii) of the Company becoming aware of the happening of any event, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus in order to state a material fact required by the 1933 Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or of the necessity to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act or any other law or (iv) if at any time following the date hereof the Registration Statement is not effective or is not otherwise available for the issuance of the Securities or any Prospectus contained therein is not available for use for any other reason. Thereafter, the Company shall promptly notify such holders when the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and/or any amendment or supplement thereto, as applicable, is effective and available for the issuance of the Securities. If at any time the SEC shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall use best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible time.

(e)    [Intentionally Omitted]

(f)    Reporting Status. Until the later of (x) the Additional Closing Expiration Date and (y) the date no Notes remain outstanding (the “Reporting Period”), the Company shall timely file all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act, and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would no longer require or otherwise permit such termination.

(g)    Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus Supplement, but not, until after the Reporting Period, directly or indirectly, for (i) the satisfaction of any indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) the redemption or repurchase of any securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) the settlement of any outstanding litigation.

(h)    Financial Information. The Company agrees to send the following to each holder of Notes (each, an “Investor”) during the Reporting Period (i) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, within one (1) Business Day after the filing thereof with the SEC, a copy of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any interim reports or any consolidated balance sheets,

 

28


income statements, stockholders’ equity statements and/or cash flow statements for any period other than annual, any Current Reports on Form 8-K and any registration statements (other than on Form S-8) or amendments filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, (ii) unless the following are either filed with the SEC through EDGAR or are otherwise widely disseminated via a recognized news release service (such as PR Newswire), on the same day as the release thereof, e-mail copies of all press releases issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR or made available on the Company’s website, copies of any notices and other information made available or given to the stockholders of the Company generally, promptly following the making available or giving thereof to the stockholders.

(i)    Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all of the Underlying Securities (as defined below) upon each national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as the case may be) (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing or designation for quotation (as the case may be) of all Underlying Securities from time to time issuable under the terms of the Transaction Documents on such national securities exchange or automated quotation system. During the Reporting Period, (i) the Company shall maintain the Common Stock’s listing or authorization for quotation (as the case may be) on the Principal Market, The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market (each, an “Eligible Market”) and (ii) the Company shall not and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on an Eligible Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 4(i). “Underlying Securities” means (i) the Conversion Shares, and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares, the Indenture or the Notes respectively, including, without limitation, (1) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise and (2) shares of capital stock of the Company into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged and shares of capital stock of a Successor Entity (as defined in the Notes) into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, in each case, without regard to any limitations on conversion of the Notes.

(j)    Fees. The Company shall reimburse the lead Buyer for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by it or its affiliates in connection with the structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, as applicable, (x) a non-accountable amount of $85,000 to be paid upon the Initial Closing Date and an additional non-accountable amount of $25,000 to be paid upon each Additional Closing Date, in each case, for the legal fees and disbursements of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, counsel to the lead Buyer, and (y) any other reasonable fees and expenses in connection with the structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and due diligence and regulatory filings in connection therewith) (the “Transaction Expenses”) and may be withheld by the lead Buyer from its applicable Purchase Price at the applicable Closing, less any amounts previously paid by the Company to Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; provided, that the Company shall promptly reimburse Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on demand for all Transaction Expenses described in clause (x) above not so reimbursed through such withholding at such Closing. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, any fees and expenses of

 

29


the Trustee (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of any legal counsel to the Trustee), transfer agent fees, DTC (as defined below) fees or broker’s commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any claim relating to any such payment. Except as otherwise set forth in the Transaction Documents, each party to this Agreement shall bear its own expenses in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Buyers.

(k)    [Intentionally Omitted]

(l)    Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information.

(i)    Disclosure of Transaction.

(1)    Initial Closing. On or before 9:00 a.m., New York time, on the date of this Agreement, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K describing all the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in the form required by the 1934 Act and attaching all the material Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement (and all schedules to this Agreement), the form of Indenture, the form of Supplemental Indentures, and the form of Notes (including all attachments), the “Initial 8-K Filing”). From and after the filing of the Initial 8-K Filing, the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided to any of the Buyers by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the filing of the Initial 8-K Filing, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Buyers or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

(2)    Additional Closings. The Company shall, on or before 9:00 a.m., New York time, on the first (1st) Business Day after the Company receives an Additional Closing Notice, either issue a press release (each, an “Additional Press Release”) or file a Current Report on Form 8-K (each, an “Additional 8-K Filing”, and together with the Initial 8-K Filing, the “8-K Filings”), in each case reasonably acceptable to such Buyer participating in such Additional Closing, disclosing that “an institutional investor” has elected to deliver an Additional Closing Notice to the Company or the Company has elected to effect an Additional Closing, as applicable. From and after the filing of the Additional Press Release or Additional 8-K Filing, solely to the extent such Additional Closing Notice constitutes material non-public information (as specified by the Company in such applicable Additional Mandatory Closing Notice or in its acknowledgement to such applicable Additional Optional Closing Notice), the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided to any of the Buyers by the Company or any

 

30


of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the filing of the Additional 8-K Filing, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Buyers or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

(ii)    Limitations on Disclosure. Except with respect to the delivery of an Additional Mandatory Closing Notice, the Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents not to, provide any Buyer with any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from and after the date hereof without the express prior written consent of such Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). In the event of a breach of the foregoing covenants by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of such Buyer), in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the Transaction Documents, such Buyer shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release of such material, non-public information, provided that such Buyer shall first advise the Company of its belief that Company has violated this provision and afford the Company two (2) Business Days to discuss the manner of disclosure before Buyer shall have the right to make such public disclosure. No Buyer shall have any liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure in accordance with the foregoing. To the extent that the Company delivers any material, non-public information to a Buyer without such Buyer’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Buyer shall not have any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information, other than as contemplated by this Section 4(i). Subject to the foregoing, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any Buyer shall issue any press releases or any other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of any Buyer, to make the Press Release and any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions (i) in substantial conformity with the 8-K Filings and contemporaneously therewith and (ii) as is required by applicable law and regulations (provided that in the case of clause (i) each Buyer shall be consulted by the Company in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure prior to its release). Without the prior written consent of the applicable Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion), the Company shall not (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and affiliates to not) disclose the name of such Buyer in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise, except as required by law or applicable regulation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer shall have (unless expressly agreed to by a particular Buyer after the date hereof in a written definitive and binding agreement executed by the Company and such particular Buyer (it being understood and agreed that no Buyer may bind any other Buyer with respect thereto)), any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

31


(m)    [Intentionally Omitted].

(n)    Reservation of Shares. So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, no less than the Required Reserve Amount (as defined in the Notes); provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 4(n) be reduced other than proportionally in connection with any conversion, exercise and/or redemption, as applicable of Notes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the reserve established pursuant to this Section 4(n) may be released upon either (i) mutual written consent of the Company and the Buyer, or (ii), in the event that no Notes are then outstanding and the Additional Optional Closing Expiration Date has expired, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Buyer. If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Company will promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents, in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain stockholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount. Further, in the event that the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Buyer may provide notice to the Company of such event, and the Company will within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice provide instruction to the Transfer Agent to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance to meet the Required Reserve Amount.

(o)    Conduct of Business. During the Reporting Period, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Entity, except where such violations would not reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

(p)    Other Notes; Variable Securities. During the Reporting Period, the Company and each Subsidiary shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any Subsequent Placement involving a Variable Rate Transaction (other than pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Distribution Agreement dated August 4, 2023 with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. or any similar agreement with an investment bank (each, a “Permitted ATM”); or the Company’s 8.00% / 11.00% Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2026, as in effect as of the date hereof (the “2026 Notes”)); provided, that the Company agrees not to issue any securities pursuant to any Permitted ATM during the three (3) Trading Day period immediately following any conversion of a Note. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company or any Subsidiary (i) issues or sells any Convertible Securities either (A) at a conversion, exercise or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such Convertible Securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such Convertible Securities or upon the occurrence of

 

32


specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock, other than pursuant to a customary “weighted average” anti-dilution provision or (ii) enters into any agreement (including, without limitation, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market” offering) whereby the Company or any Subsidiary may sell securities at a future determined price (other than standard and customary “preemptive” or “participation” rights). Each Buyer shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company and its Subsidiaries to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

(q)    [Intentionally Omitted.]

(r)    Subsequent Placement. During the Reporting Period, the Company shall not, in any manner, enter into or affect any Subsequent Placement (as defined below) if the effect of such Subsequent Placement is to cause the Company to be required to issue upon conversion of any Notes any shares of Common Stock in excess of that number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Notes without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market.

(i)    Definitions.

(1)    “Approved Stock Plan” means any employee benefit plan, including stock incentive plans, which has been approved by the board of directors of the Company prior to or subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to which shares of Common Stock, restricted stock units and options to purchase Common Stock may be issued to any employee, officer, director or consultant for services provided to the Company in their capacity as such.

(2)    “Excluded Securities” means the issuance of (A) shares of Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock to directors, officers or employees of or consultants to the Company in their capacity as such pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan (as defined below); (B) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities (other than options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (A) above) issued prior to the date hereof, provided that the conversion, exercise or other method of issuance (as the case may be) of any such Convertible Security is made solely pursuant to the conversion, exercise or other method of issuance (as the case may be) provisions of such Convertible Security that were in effect on the date immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, the conversion, exercise or issuance price of any such Convertible Securities (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (A) above) is not lowered, none of such Convertible Securities (other than options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (A) above) are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such Convertible Securities (other than options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (A) above) are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely

 

33


affects any of the Buyers; (C) the Conversion Shares, (D) any shares of Common Stock, warrants or options issued or issuable with any bona fide strategic or commercial alliances, acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships, provided, that the purchaser or acquirer or recipient of the securities in such issuance solely consists of either (I) the actual participants in such strategic or commercial alliance, strategic or commercial licensing arrangement or strategic or commercial partnership, (II) the actual owners of such assets or securities acquired in such acquisition or merger or (III) the stockholders, partners, employees, consultants, officers, directors or members of the foregoing Persons, in each case, which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset, in a business the Company believes is synergistic with the business of the Company and that the Company believes shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, (E) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Permitted ATM (as defined below) and (F) shares of Common Stock issued in a Subsequent Placement in which the Company raises up to $75,000,000 in Common Stock from a third party investor pursuant to written agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Holders and approved by the Required Holders prior to the consummation thereof.

(3)    “Subsequent Placement” any issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase or other disposition of any equity security or any equity-linked or related security (including, without limitation, any “equity security” (as that term is defined under Rule 405 promulgated under the 1933 Act)), any Convertible Securities, any debt, any preferred stock or any purchase rights.

(s)    Passive Foreign Investment Company. During the Reporting Period, the Company shall conduct its business, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses, in such a manner as will ensure that the Company will not be deemed to constitute a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.

(t)    Restriction on Redemption and Cash Dividends. During the Reporting Period, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, redeem, or declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on, any securities of the Company without the prior express written consent of the Buyers.

(u)    Corporate Existence. During the Reporting Period, the Company shall not be party to any Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Notes) unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Notes.

(v)    Conversion Procedures. Each of the form of Conversion Notice (as defined in the Notes) included in the Notes set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Buyers in order to convert the Notes. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Buyers to convert their Notes. The Company shall honor conversions of the Notes and shall deliver the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Notes. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Conversion Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Conversion Notice form be required in order to convert the Notes.

 

34


(w)    Regulation M. The Company will not take any action prohibited by Regulation M under the 1934 Act, in connection with the distribution of the Securities contemplated hereby.

(x)    Closing Documents. On or prior to fourteen (14) calendar days after the Closing Date, the Company agrees to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Buyer and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP a complete closing set of the executed Transaction Documents, Securities and any other document required to be delivered to any party pursuant to Section 7 hereof or otherwise.

5.    REGISTER; TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS; LEGEND.

(a)    Register. The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to each holder of Securities), a register for the Notes in which the Company shall record the name and address of the Person in whose name the Notes have been issued (including the name and address of each transferee), the principal amount of the Notes held by such Person and the number of Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Notes. The Company shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection of any Buyer or its legal representatives.

(b)    Transfer Agent Instructions. The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions to its transfer agent and any subsequent transfer agent (as applicable, the “Transfer Agent”) in a form acceptable to each of the Buyers with respect to each Closing hereunder (each, “Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) to issue certificates or credit shares to the applicable balance accounts at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), registered in the name of each Buyer or its respective nominee(s), for the Conversion Shares in such amounts as specified from time to time by each Buyer to the Company upon conversion of the Notes and agreed to by the Company. The Company represents and warrants that no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5(b), will be given by the Company to its transfer agent with respect to the Securities, and that the Securities shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company, as applicable, to the extent provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. If a Buyer effects a sale, assignment or transfer of any Securities, the Company shall permit the transfer and shall promptly instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates or credit shares to the applicable balance accounts at DTC in such name and in such denominations as specified by such Buyer to effect such sale, transfer or assignment. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to a Buyer. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5(b) will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 5(b), that a Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an order and/or injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall cause its counsel to issue the legal opinion referred to in the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions to the Transfer Agent as follows: (i) upon each conversion of the Notes (unless such issuance is covered by a prior legal opinion previously delivered to the Transfer Agent) and (ii) on each date a registration statement with respect to the issuance or resale of any of the Securities is declared effective by the SEC. Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent, counsel to the Company or otherwise) associated with the issuance of such opinion or the removal of any legends on any of the Securities shall be borne by the Company.

 

35


(c)    Legends. Certificates and any other instruments evidencing the Securities shall not bear any restrictive or other legend.

(d)    FAST Compliance. While any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain a transfer agent that participates in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program.

6.    CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION TO SELL.

(a)    The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the Initial Notes to each Buyer at the Initial Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Initial Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion by providing each Buyer with prior written notice thereof:

(i)    Such Buyer shall have executed each of the other applicable Transaction Documents to which it is a party and delivered the same to the Company.

(ii)    Such Buyer and each other Buyer shall have delivered to the Company the Purchase Price (less, in the case of the lead Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(j)) for the Initial Note being purchased by the lead Buyer at the Initial Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Flow of Funds Letter.

(iii)    Each and every representation and warranty of such Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Initial Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and such Buyer shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Buyer at or prior to the Initial Closing Date.

(b)    The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell Additional Notes to each Buyer at the applicable Additional Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before such Additional Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion by providing each Buyer with prior written notice thereof:

(i)    Such Buyer shall have executed each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and delivered the same to the Company.

(ii)    Such Buyer and each other Buyer shall have delivered to the Company the applicable Additional Purchase Price (less, in the case of one Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(j)) for the Additional Note being purchased by such Buyer at such Additional Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Additional Flow of Funds Letter.

 

36


(iii)    The representations and warranties of such Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of such Additional Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and such Buyer shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Buyer at or prior to such Additional Closing Date.

7.    CONDITIONS TO EACH BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.

(a)    The obligation of each Buyer hereunder to purchase its Initial Note at the Initial Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Initial Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for each Buyer’s sole benefit and may be waived by such Buyer at any time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:

(i)    The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer each of the applicable Transaction Documents and the Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer the Initial Note (in such original principal amount as is set forth across from such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers) being purchased by such Buyer at the Initial Closing pursuant to this Agreement.

(ii)    Such Buyer shall have received the opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, the Company’s counsel, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, in each case, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer.

(iii)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a copy of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, which instructions shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent and shall remain in full force and effect as of such Initial Closing Date.

(iv)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the incorporation and good standing of the Company in its entity’s jurisdiction of incorporation issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of such jurisdiction of formation as of a date within ten (10) days of the Initial Closing Date.

(v)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the Company’s qualification as a foreign corporation and good standing issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of each jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business and is required to so qualify, as of a date within ten (10) days of the Initial Closing Date.

(vi)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation as certified by the Delaware Secretary of State within ten (10) days of the Initial Closing Date.

(vii)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate, in the form acceptable to such Buyer, executed by the Secretary of the Company and dated as of the Initial Closing Date, as to (i) the resolutions consistent with Section 3(b) as adopted by the Company’s board of directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and (iii) the Bylaws of the Company, each as in effect at the Initial Closing.

 

37


(viii)    Each and every representation and warranty of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent qualified by materiality or material adverse effect, in which cash such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date when made and as of the Initial Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent qualified by materiality or material adverse effect, in which cash such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Initial Closing Date. Such Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Buyer in the form acceptable to such Buyer.

(ix)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a letter from the Company’s transfer agent certifying the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Initial Closing Date immediately prior to the Initial Closing.

(x)    The Common Stock (A) shall be designated for quotation or listed (as applicable) on the Principal Market and (B) shall not have been suspended, as of the Initial Closing Date, by the SEC or the Principal Market from trading on the Principal Market nor shall suspension by the SEC or the Principal Market have been threatened, as of the Initial Closing Date, either (I) in writing by the SEC or the Principal Market or (II) by falling below the minimum maintenance requirements of the Principal Market.

(xi)    The Company shall have obtained all governmental, regulatory or third party consents and approvals, if any, necessary for the sale of the Securities (other than the Principal Market).

(xii)    No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

(xiii)    Since the date of execution of this Agreement, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably would have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xiv)    The Company shall have obtained no objection of the Principal Market to list or designate for quotation (as the case may be) the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Initial Notes.

(xv)    Such Buyer shall have received a letter on the letterhead of the Company, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, setting forth the wire amounts of each Buyer and the wire transfer instructions of the Company (the “Initial Flow of Funds Letter”).

 

38


(xvi)    From the date hereof to the Initial Closing Date, (i) trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Initial Closing), and, (ii) at any time prior to the Initial Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on the Principal Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of each Buyer, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at the Initial Closing

(xvii)    The Registration Statement shall be effective and available for the issuance and sale of the Initial Notes to be issued in the Initial Closing and the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion thereof pursuant to the terms of the Initial Notes and the Company shall have delivered to such Buyer the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement with respect thereto as required hereunder and thereunder.

(xviii)    The Company shall have filed a Form T-1, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby in accordance with TIA 305(b)(2).

(xix)    The Trustee shall have duly executed and delivered to the Company and such Buyer the Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture for the Initial Notes to be issued in the Initial Closing and the custodian agreements in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (the “Initial Custodian Agreement”). The Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture for the Initial Notes shall be qualified under the TIA.

(xx)    The Company shall have terminated, as evidenced by a writing delivered to such Buyer, the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Tumim Stone Capital LLC (“Tumim”) dated as of September 24, 2021 and the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Tumim dated as of June 11, 2021.

(xxi)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer such other documents, instruments or certificates relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as such Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

39


(b)    The obligation of each Buyer hereunder to purchase the applicable Additional Note at the applicable Additional Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before such Additional Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for each Buyer’s sole benefit and may be waived by such Buyer at any time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:

(i)    The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer each of the applicable Transaction Documents and the Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer such Additional Note being purchased by such Buyer at such Additional Closing pursuant to this Agreement.

(ii)    Such Buyer shall have received the opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, the Company’s counsel, dated as of such Additional Closing Date, dated as of such Additional Closing Date, in each case, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer.

(iii)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a copy of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in the form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, which instructions shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent and shall remain in full force and effect as of such Additional Closing Date.

(iv)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the incorporation and good standing of the Company in its jurisdiction of incorporation issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of such jurisdiction of incorporation as of a date within ten (10) days of such Additional Closing Date.

(v)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the Company’s qualification as a foreign corporation and good standing issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of each jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business and is required to so qualify, as of a date within ten (10) days of such Additional Closing Date.

(vi)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation as certified by the Delaware Secretary of State within ten (10) days of such Additional Closing Date.

(vii)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate, in the form acceptable to such Buyer, executed by the Secretary of the Company and dated as of such Additional Closing Date, as to (i) the resolutions consistent with Section 3(b) as adopted by the Company’s board of directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and (iii) the Bylaws of the Company, each as in effect at such Additional Closing.

(viii)    If the issuance of all the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Initial Notes and/or Additional Notes (assuming a conversion of such Notes at the Floor Price (as defined in the Notes) and without regard to any other limitations on conversion set forth therein), as applicable, then outstanding would result in issuances in excess of the Exchange Cap (as defined in the Notes), the Company shall have obtained the approval of the stockholders of the Company (the “Stockholder Approval”, and such date the Stockholder Approval is obtained, the “Stockholder Approval Date”) to the issuance of all such Underlying Shares (assuming a conversion of such Notes at the Floor Price (As defined in the Notes) and without regard to any other limitations on conversion set forth therein) in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

40


(ix)    Each and every representation and warranty of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent qualified by materiality or material adverse effect, in which cash such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date when made and as of such Additional Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent qualified by materiality or material adverse effect, in which cash such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to such Additional Closing Date. Such Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of such Additional Closing Date, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Buyer in the form acceptable to such Buyer.

(x)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a letter from the Company’s transfer agent certifying the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such Additional Closing Date immediately prior to such Additional Closing.

(xi)    The Common Stock (A) shall be designated for quotation or listed (as applicable) on the Principal Market and (B) shall not have been suspended, as of such Additional Closing Date, by the SEC or the Principal Market from trading on the Principal Market nor shall suspension by the SEC or the Principal Market have been threatened, as of such Additional Closing Date, either (I) in writing by the SEC or the Principal Market or (II) by falling below the minimum maintenance requirements of the Principal Market.

(xii)    The Company shall have obtained all governmental, regulatory or third party consents and approvals, if any, necessary for the sale of the Securities, including without limitation, those required by the Principal Market, if any.

(xiii)    No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

(xiv)    Since the date of execution of this Agreement, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably would have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xv)    The Company shall have obtained no objections of the Principal Market to list or designate for quotation (as the case may be) the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of such Additional Notes to be sold in such Additional Closing.

(xvi)    Such Buyer shall have received a letter on the letterhead of the Company, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, setting forth the wire amounts of each Buyer and the wire transfer instructions of the Company with respect to such Additional Closing (each, an “Additional Flow of Funds Letter”).

 

41


(xvii)    From the later of the (x) Initial Closing Date and (y) the immediately preceding Additional Closing Date, if any, (i) trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to such Additional Closing), and, (ii) at any time prior to such Additional Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on the Principal Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of each Buyer, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at such Additional Closing

(xviii)    The Registration Statement shall be effective and available for the issuance and sale of the Additional Notes to be issued in such Additional Closing and the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion thereof pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture for such Additional Note and the Company shall have delivered to such Buyer the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement with respect thereto as required hereunder and thereunder.

(xix)    The Company shall have filed a Form T-1, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby in accordance with TIA 305(b)(2).

(xx)    The Trustee shall have duly executed and delivered to the Company and such Buyer the Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture for such Additional Notes to be issued in such Additional Closing and the custodian agreements in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (each, an “Additional Custodian Agreement”, and together with the Initial Custodian Agreement, the “Custodian Agreements”). The Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture for such Additional Notes shall be qualified under the TIA.

(xxi)    The quotient of (x) the sum of the aggregate daily dollar trading volume (as reported on Bloomberg) of the Common Stock on each Trading Day over the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Additional Closing Date, divided by (y) five (5) is not less than $10,000,000 (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions) (the “Additional Closing Volume Condition”).

(xxii)    The volume-weighted average of the VWAP (as defined in the Notes) of the Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Additional Closing Date exceeds $1.25 (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions) (the “Additional Closing Price Condition”).

(xxiii)    There has been no Equity Conditions Failure.

 

42


(xxiv)    No bona fide dispute shall exist, by and between (or among) any of the Buyers, any holder of Notes, the Trustee and/or the Company, which dispute is reasonably related to this Agreement, any of the Securities and/or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, as applicable.

(xxv)    The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer such other documents, instruments or certificates relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as such Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request.

8.    TERMINATION.

In the event that the Closing shall not have occurred with respect to a Buyer within five (5) days of the date hereof, then such Buyer shall have the right to terminate its obligations under this Agreement with respect to itself at any time on or after the close of business on such date without liability of such Buyer to any other party; provided, however, (i) the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8 shall not be available to such Buyer if the failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to have been consummated by such date is the result of such Buyer’s breach of this Agreement and (ii) the abandonment of the sale and purchase of the Notes shall be applicable only to such Buyer providing such written notice, provided further that no such termination shall affect any obligation of the Company under this Agreement to reimburse such Buyer for the expenses described in Section 4(j) above. Nothing contained in this Section 8 shall be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or to impair the right of any party to compel specific performance by any other party of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

9.    MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or under any of the other Transaction Documents or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Buyer from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Buyer or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling

 

43


in favor of such Buyer. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

(b)    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains a portable document format (.pdf) file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

(c)    Headings; Gender. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

(d)    Severability; Maximum Payment Amounts. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (and without implication that the following is required or applicable), it is the intention of the parties that in no event shall amounts and value paid by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries (as the case may be), or payable to or received by any of the Buyers, under the Transaction Documents (including without limitation, any amounts that would be characterized as “interest” under applicable law) exceed amounts permitted under any applicable law. Accordingly, if any obligation to pay, payment made to any Buyer, or collection by any Buyer pursuant to the Transaction Documents is finally judicially determined to be contrary to any such applicable law, such obligation to pay, payment or collection shall be deemed to have been made by mutual mistake of such Buyer, the Company and its Subsidiaries and such amount shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by the

 

44


applicable law. Such adjustment shall be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing or refunding, at the option of such Buyer, the amount of interest or any other amounts which would constitute unlawful amounts required to be paid or actually paid to such Buyer under the Transaction Documents. For greater certainty, to the extent that any interest, charges, fees, expenses or other amounts required to be paid to or received by such Buyer under any of the Transaction Documents or related thereto are held to be within the meaning of “interest” or another applicable term to otherwise be violative of applicable law, such amounts shall be pro-rated over the period of time to which they relate.

(e)    Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyers, the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf, including, without limitation, any transactions by any Buyer with respect to Common Stock or the Securities, and the other matters contained herein and therein, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein contain the entire understanding of the parties solely with respect to the matters covered herein and therein; provided, however, nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall (or shall be deemed to) (i) have any effect on any agreements any Buyer has entered into with, or any instruments any Buyer has received from, the Company prior to the date hereof with respect to any prior investment made by such Buyer in the Company or (ii) waive, alter, modify or amend in any respect any obligations of the Company, or any rights of or benefits to any Buyer or any other Person, in any agreement entered into prior to the date hereof between or among the Company and any Buyer, or any instruments any Buyer received from the Company prior to the date hereof, and all such agreements and instruments shall continue in full force and effect. Except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor any Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For clarification purposes, the Recitals are part of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Required Holders (as defined below), and any amendment to any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable; provided that no such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it (A) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding or (B) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party, provided that the Required Holders may waive any provision of this Agreement, and any waiver of any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable, provided that no such waiver shall be effective to the extent that it (1) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding (unless a party gives a waiver as to itself only) or (2) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No consideration (other than reimbursement of legal fees) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to the Transaction Documents and all holders of the Notes. From the date hereof and while any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall not be permitted to receive any consideration from a Buyer or

 

45


a holder of Notes that is not otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Documents in order to, directly or indirectly, induce the Company or any Subsidiary (i) to treat such Buyer or holder of Notes in a manner that is more favorable than other similarly situated Buyers or holders of Notes, or (ii) to treat any Buyer(s) or holder(s) of Notes in a manner that is less favorable than the Buyer or holder of Notes that is paying such consideration; provided, however, that the determination of whether a Buyer has been treated more or less favorably than another Buyer shall disregard any securities of the Company purchased or sold by any Buyer. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, made any agreements with any Buyers relating to the terms or conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents except as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company confirms that, except as set forth in this Agreement, no Buyer has made any commitment or promise or has any other obligation to provide any financing to the Company, any Subsidiary or otherwise. As a material inducement for each Buyer to enter into this Agreement, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (x) no due diligence or other investigation or inquiry conducted by a Buyer, any of its advisors or any of its representatives shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (y) unless a provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document is expressly preceded by the phrase “except as disclosed in the SEC Documents,” nothing contained in any of the SEC Documents shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. “Required Holders” means (I) prior to the Closing Date, each Buyer entitled to purchase Notes at the Closing and (II) on or after the Closing Date, holders of a majority of the Underlying Securities as of such time (excluding any Underlying Securities held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of such time and excluding any purchasers of Underlying Securities, unless pursuant to a written assignment by such Buyer) issued or issuable hereunder or pursuant to the Notes (or the Buyers, with respect to any waiver or amendment of Section 4(o)).

(f)    Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic mail (provided that such sent email is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (iii) one (1) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The mailing addresses and e-mail addresses for such communications shall be:

If to the Company:

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

E-Mail:

 

46


With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

2550 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Attention:        Stanley F. Pierson

              Gabriella Lombardi

E-Mail:    spierson@pillsburylaw.com

                gabriella.lombardi@pillsburylaw.com

If to the Transfer Agent:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attention: Michael Mullings, Chief Compliance Officer &

Corporate Secretary

E-Mail:                 

If to a Buyer, to its mailing address and e-mail address set forth on the Schedule of Buyers, with copies to such Buyer’s representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers,

with a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10007

Telephone: (212) 808-7540

Attention: Michael A. Adelstein, Esq.

E-mail: madelstein@kelleydrye.com

or to such other mailing address and/or e-mail address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change, provided that Kelley Drye & Warren LLP shall only be provided copies of notices sent to the lead Buyer. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date and recipient’s e-mail or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by e-mail or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

(g)    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any purchasers of any of the Notes (but excluding any purchasers of Underlying Securities). The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, including, without limitation, by way of a Fundamental Transaction (as

 

47


defined in the Notes) (unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Notes). A Buyer may assign some or all of its rights hereunder in connection with any transfer of any of its Securities without the consent of the Company, in which event such assignee shall be deemed to be a Buyer hereunder with respect to such assigned rights, except that in such event neither the assignee nor such Buyer shall have any rights under Section 4(q) unless the assignee is an Affiliate of such Buyer from whom such Securities are transferred (unless such Buyer shall have obtained the written consent of the Company).

(h)    No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, other than the Indemnitees referred to in Section 9(k).

(i)    Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants shall survive the Closing. Each Buyer shall be responsible only for its own representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereunder.

(j)    Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(k)    Indemnification.

(i) In consideration of each Buyer’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities thereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless each Buyer and each holder of any Securities and all of their stockholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), reasonably and actually incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (i) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or any Subsidiary in any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary contained in any of the Transaction Documents or (iii) any cause of action, suit, proceeding or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary) or which otherwise involves such Indemnitee that arises out of or results from (A) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents, (B) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part,

 

48


directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities, (C) any disclosure properly made by such Buyer pursuant to Section 4(l), or (D) the status of such Buyer or holder of the Securities either as an investor in the Company pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or as a party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a party in interest or otherwise in any action or proceeding for injunctive or other equitable relief). To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

(ii)    Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee under this Section 9(k) of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving an Indemnified Liability, such Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Section 9(k), deliver to the Company a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the Company shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the Company so desires, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Indemnitee; provided, however, that an Indemnitee shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the Company if: (A) the Company has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (B) the Company shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Indemnified Liability and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee in any such Indemnified Liability; or (C) the named parties to any such Indemnified Liability (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnitee and the Company, and such Indemnitee shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnitee and the Company (in which case, if such Indemnitee notifies the Company in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company, then the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the Company), provided further, that in the case of clause (C) above the Company shall not be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate legal counsel for the Indemnitees. The Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Indemnified Liability by the Company and shall furnish to the Company all information reasonably available to the Indemnitee which relates to such action or Indemnified Liability. The Company shall keep the Indemnitee reasonably apprised as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the Company shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnitee of a release from all liability in respect to such Indemnified Liability or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnitee. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the Company shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnitee with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the Company within a reasonable time

 

49


of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve the Company of any liability to the Indemnitee under this Section 9(k), except to the extent that the Company is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

(iii)    The indemnification required by this Section 9(k) shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, within ten (10) days after bills are received or Indemnified Liabilities are incurred.

(iv)    The indemnity agreement contained herein shall be in addition to (A) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnitee against the Company or others, and (B) any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to the law.

(l)    Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. No specific representation or warranty shall limit the generality or applicability of a more general representation or warranty. Each and every reference to share prices, shares of Common Stock and any other numbers in this Agreement that relate to the Common Stock shall be automatically adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions that occur with respect to the Common Stock after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty against, or a prohibition of, any actions with respect to the borrowing of, arrangement to borrow, identification of the availability of, and/or securing of, securities of the Company in order for such Buyer (or its broker or other financial representative) to effect short sales or similar transactions in the future.

(m)    Remedies. Each Buyer and in the event of assignment by Buyer of its rights and obligations hereunder, each holder of Notes, shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the Transaction Documents and all rights and remedies which such holders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such holders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that in the event that it or any Subsidiary fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) obligations under the Transaction Documents, any remedy at law would be inadequate relief to the Buyers. The Company therefore agrees that the Buyers shall be entitled to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The remedies provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief).

(n)    Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) the Transaction Documents, whenever any Buyer exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company or

 

50


any Subsidiary does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Buyer may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be), any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.

(o)    Payment Set Aside; Currency. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Buyer hereunder or pursuant to any of the other Transaction Documents or any of the Buyers enforce or exercise their rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, foreign, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Agreement, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation.

(p)    Judgment Currency.

(i)    If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 9(p) referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Agreement, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:

(1)    the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

(2)    the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 9(p)(i)(2) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

(ii)    If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 9(p)(i)(2) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing

 

51


on the date of payment, will produce the amount of US Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

(iii)    Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

(q)    Independent Nature of Buyers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Buyer under the Transaction Documents are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Buyer, and no Buyer shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Buyer under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Buyer pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Buyers as, and the Company acknowledges that the Buyers do not so constitute, a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Buyers are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity, and the Company shall not assert any such claim with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Buyers are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The decision of each Buyer to purchase Securities pursuant to the Transaction Documents has been made by such Buyer independently of any other Buyer. Each Buyer acknowledges that no other Buyer has acted as agent for such Buyer in connection with such Buyer making its investment hereunder and that no other Buyer will be acting as agent of such Buyer in connection with monitoring such Buyer’s investment in the Securities or enforcing its rights under the Transaction Documents. The Company and each Buyer confirms that each Buyer has independently participated with the Company and its Subsidiaries in the negotiation of the transaction contemplated hereby with the advice of its own counsel and advisors. Each Buyer shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of any other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Buyer to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement to effectuate the purchase and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Buyer, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Buyer. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company, each Subsidiary and a Buyer, solely, and not between the Company and the Buyers collectively and not between and among the Buyers.

[signature pages follow]

 

52


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
NIKOLA CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Anastasiya Pasterick

Name:   Anastasiya Pasterick
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

BUYER:
3i, LP
By:  

/s/ Maier J. Tarlow

Name:   Maier J. Tarlow
Title:   Manager on Behalf of the GP


SCHEDULE OF BUYERS

 

(1)

   (2)    (3)    (4)    (5)    (6)    (7)

Buyer

   Mailing Address and E-Mail
Address
   Original Principal
Amount of

Initial Notes
   Aggregate
Maximum

Original Principal
Amount of
Additional Notes for
Additional

Closings
   Initial
Purchase Price
   Aggregate Maximum
Additional

Purchase Price
   Legal Representative’s
Mailing Address and E-Mail Address
3i, LP    3i, LP

140 Broadway, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Telephone:

Attention: Maier J. Tarlow

E-Mail:

   $125,000,000.00    $200,000,000.00    $125,000,000.00    $200,000,000.00    Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10007

Telephone: (212) 808-7540

Attention: Michael A. Adelstein, Esq.

E-Mail: MAdelstein@KelleyDrye.com


Exhibit 99.1

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Following the occurrence of two thermal events related to our battery packs in June and August 2023, respectively, we identified an issue with a single component in the battery packs in our Class 8 Tre battery-electric vehicles (“BEV”). In August 2023, we announced a voluntary recall of 209 of our BEV trucks. We may incur significant expenses as a result of these events and there can be no assurance as to when we will be able to resume production of our BEV trucks. As a result, our brand, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely affected.

On August 11, 2023, we announced a voluntary recall of approximately 209 BEV trucks as a precautionary measure, as a result of the preliminary results of battery pack thermal event investigations. A coolant leak inside a single battery pack was found to be the probable cause of the previously announced truck fire at our headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona on June 23, 2023. We believe these findings were further corroborated by a minor thermal incident that impacted one pack on an engineering validation truck parked at our Coolidge, Arizona plant on August 10, 2023. Internal investigations from our safety and engineering teams indicate a single supplier component within the battery pack as the likely source of the coolant leak. We filed a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on August 15, 2023 and have placed a temporary hold on new sales of new BEV trucks. Recalls may result in significant expenses, and involve the possibility of lawsuits and other regulatory actions, and diversion of management attention and other resources, any of which could adversely affect our brand, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

While efforts are underway to provide a field remedy, we may incur significant expenses in our efforts to fix or obtain a replacement for the component that we believe to have caused these thermal incidents. In addition, there can be no guarantee as to when we will be able to repair our existing inventory of BEV trucks so that they may be sold or resume production of our BEV trucks. If costs related to these events are higher than we expect or we are unable to sell our existing inventory or resume production of our BEV trucks on a timely basis, our business, results of operations (including our ability to meet our previously stated expectations regarding deliveries for the remainder of 2023) and financial condition may be adversely impacted.