-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JaRA47T9z5SpqaFdHHV2vV60mFPFZnnobp5xSmlYNvxMOpNeKca7ulee6RmXv06F rAI0NmGe/3Nio9Q2+nNi0Q== 0001193125-10-160225.txt : 20100716 0001193125-10-160225.hdr.sgml : 20100716 20100716163737 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-160225 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100716 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100716 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20100716 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000732834 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 730767549 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-168182 FILM NUMBER: 10956786 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 302 NORTH INDEPENDENCE, SUITE 1400 CITY: ENID STATE: OK ZIP: 73702 BUSINESS PHONE: 5802338955 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001472626 IRS NUMBER: 203304849 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-168182-01 FILM NUMBER: 10956787 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 302 N. INDEPENDENCE, SUITE 1500 CITY: ENID STATE: OK ZIP: 73701 BUSINESS PHONE: 580-233-8955 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 302 N. INDEPENDENCE, SUITE 1500 CITY: ENID STATE: OK ZIP: 73701 S-3ASR 1 ds3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR Form S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2010

Registration No. 333-                    

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Continental Resources, Inc.

(and its Subsidiary Identified on the Following Page)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-0767549

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 233-8955

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

 

 

Donald P. Fischbach

General Counsel and Secretary

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 233-8955

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

 

 

Copy to:

Michael E. Dillard

Sean T. Wheeler

Latham & Watkins LLP

717 Texas Avenue, 16th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 546-5400

 

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement, as determined by market conditions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered (1)(2)
  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit (1)(2)
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)(2)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee
(2)(3)

Debt Securities

               

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

               

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

               

Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt Securities (4)

               
 
 
(1) There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock and such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, of Continental Resources, Inc. as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon the conversion, redemption, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. Any securities registered under this registration statement may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered under this registration statement. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are being registered that are issued in exchange for, or upon the conversion or exercise of, the debt securities being registered hereunder.
(2) Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E.
(3) In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r), the registrants are deferring payment of the registration fee required in connection with this registration statement. Accordingly, no registration fee is paid herewith.
(4) Guarantees may be provided by subsidiaries of Continental Resources, Inc. of the payment of principal of and interest on the Debt Securities. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is payable for the guarantees.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Subsidiary Guarantor Registrant as Specified in its Charter (1)

  

State or Other Jurisdiction

of Organization

  

Primary Standard

Industrial Classification

Code Number

  

I.R.S. Employer

Identification

Number

Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C.    Oklahoma    1311    20-3304849

 

(1) The address for the subsidiary guarantor registrant is 302 N. Independence, Suite 1500, Enid, Oklahoma 73701, and the telephone number for the subsidiary guarantor registrant is (580) 233-8955.


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

 

 

We may offer from time to time senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, preferred stock and common stock. Our subsidiaries may guarantee the senior or subordinated debt securities offered by this prospectus.

We will provide additional terms of our securities in one or more prospectus supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.

The securities may be offered directly by us or by any selling security holder, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled “About This Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CLR.”

You should consider carefully “Risk Factors” on page 1 before investing in 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 or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is July 16, 2010.


Table of Contents

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any written communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any written communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering is accurate as of any date other than the date on its cover page and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the documents incorporated by reference. We are not making an offer to sell in any jurisdiction in which the offer is not permitted. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About this Prospectus

   i

Where You Can Find More Information

   ii

Incorporation by Reference

   ii

About Us

   1

Risk Factors

   1

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

   1

Use of Proceeds

   3

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   3

Description of Debt Securities

   4

Description of Capital Stock

   12

Plan of Distribution

   17

Legal Matters

   19

Experts

   19

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell certain of our securities from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement will describe the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement together with the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.”

As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us” and “our” and similar terms mean Continental Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

i


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains information we file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

This prospectus does not contain all the information the registration statement sets forth or includes in its exhibits and schedules, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and we refer you to that omitted information. The statements this prospectus makes pertaining to the content of any contract, agreement or other document that is an exhibit to the registration statement necessarily are summaries of their material provisions, and we qualify them in their entirety by reference to those exhibits for complete statements of their provisions. The registration statement and its exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its website.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any information so updated or superseded will not be deemed, except as so updated or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date of this prospectus. The documents we incorporate by reference are (file no. 001-32886):

 

   

our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009;

 

   

our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010;

 

   

our current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 6, 2010 (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), January 8, 2010, January 19, 2010, January 25, 2010, March 30, 2010 (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), April 5, 2010, April 7, 2010, May 28, 2010 and July 7, 2010;

 

   

our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 13, 2010 (only those parts incorporated by reference in our Annual Report in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009); and

 

   

the description of our common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, other than any exhibit to any of those documents, unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the information this prospectus incorporates. You may request copies by visiting our website at http://www.contres.com, or by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Continental Resources, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 233-8955

 

ii


Table of Contents

ABOUT US

We are an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations primarily in the North, South and East regions of the United States. For additional information about our business, operations and financial results, please read the documents listed under “Incorporation By Reference.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 302 N. Independence, Enid, Oklahoma 73701, and our telephone number at that address is (580) 233-8955.

RISK FACTORS

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described as such in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs, where applicable, and other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider material. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or include in any applicable prospectus supplement.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information in this prospectus, including information in documents incorporated by reference, includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximately,” “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, although not all forward looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). When considering forward looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus, and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs, where applicable, all of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

These forward looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain statements incorporated by reference or included in this prospectus constitute forward looking statements.

Forward looking statements may include statements about our:

 

   

business strategy;

 

   

reserves;

 

   

technology;

 

   

financial strategy;

 

   

crude oil and natural gas realized prices;

 

   

timing and amount of future production of crude oil and natural gas;

 

1


Table of Contents
   

the amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures;

 

   

drilling of wells;

 

   

competition and government regulations;

 

   

marketing of crude oil and natural gas;

 

   

exploitation or property acquisitions;

 

   

costs of exploiting and developing our properties and conducting other operations;

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

credit markets;

 

   

liquidity and access to capital;

 

   

uncertainty regarding our future operating results; and

 

   

plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference herein that are not historical.

We caution you that these forward looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, the effects of our indebtedness, which could adversely restrict our ability to operate and could have other adverse consequences, the effects of competition, the success of our derivative activities, our ownership structure and general economic, market or business conditions, and the other risks described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs, where applicable.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data, and price and cost assumptions made by reservoir engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing, and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions could change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of crude oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in this prospectus occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements.

All forward looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this prospectus, or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus. Please read “Incorporation by Reference.”

 

2


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

 

   

funding working capital requirements;

 

   

capital expenditures;

 

   

repayment or refinancing of indebtedness;

 

   

repurchases and redemptions of securities; and

 

   

acquisitions.

Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest proceeds in short-term marketable securities. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities offered by any selling security holder.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

     Year Ended December 31,    Three
Months Ended,
March 31,
2010
     2005    2006    2007    2008    2009   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   14.74x    23.37x    23.94x    43.54x    5.74x    14.83x

We have computed the ratios of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of income before income taxes and non-controlling interest plus fixed charges exclusive of capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” consist of interest, whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness and an estimate of the portion of annual rental expense on operating leases that represents the interest factor.

We had no preferred stock outstanding for any period presented, and accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

3


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our general unsecured obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Subject to compliance with our revolving credit agreements and the indentures related to our outstanding senior notes, we will issue senior debt securities under a separate indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee that we will name in the prospectus supplement (the “senior indenture”) and subordinated debt securities under a separate indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee that we will name in the prospectus supplement (the “subordinated indenture”). In this description, we sometimes call the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture the “indentures.”

We have summarized the provisions of the indentures and the debt securities below. You should read the indentures for more details regarding the provisions we describe below and for other provisions that may be important to you. We have filed the forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to this registration statement, and we will include the applicable final indenture and any other instrument establishing the terms of any debt securities we offer as exhibits to a filing we will make with the SEC in connection with that offering. Please read “Incorporation by Reference.”

In this summary description of the debt securities, all references to “Continental,” “us,” we” or “our” mean Continental Resources, Inc. only, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise.

General

The senior debt securities will constitute senior debt and will rank equally with all our unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to, and thus have a junior position to, any senior debt securities and all our other senior debt. The indentures will not limit the amount of debt we may issue under the indentures, and, unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, they will not limit the amount of other unsecured debt or securities we may incur or issue. We may issue debt securities under either indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount we authorize prior to issuance.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the indentures and the debt securities will not contain:

 

   

any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event we participate in a highly leveraged transaction; or

 

   

provisions that give holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase their securities in the event of a decline in our credit rating resulting from a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or otherwise.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

   

whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depository on behalf of holders;

 

4


Table of Contents
   

the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

any interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, interest payment dates and record dates for interest payments;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances any additional amounts with respect to the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

any provisions for redemption or early repayment;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities prior to maturity;

 

   

the dates on which, the price at which and the conditions (if any) under which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders or the holders of debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which we may issue the debt securities;

 

   

whether payments on the debt securities will be payable in foreign currency or currency units or another form, and whether payments on the debt securities will be payable by reference to any index or formula;

 

   

the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable if the maturity is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount;

 

   

any additional means of defeasance of the debt securities, any additional conditions or limitations to defeasance of the debt securities or any changes to those conditions or limitations;

 

   

any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants this prospectus describes;

 

   

any restrictions or other provisions relating to the transfer or exchange of the debt securities;

 

   

any terms for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities for other securities issued by us; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities, whether in addition to, or by modification or deletion of, the terms described herein.

We may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. Those debt securities may bear no interest or may bear interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates.

Subordination

Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we may not make any payment of principal, interest or any premium on the subordinated debt securities if:

 

   

we fail to pay the principal of, premium, if any, interest or any other amounts on any Senior Debt when due; or

 

   

we default in performing any other covenant (a “covenant default”) in any Senior Debt that we have designated if the covenant default allows the holders of that Senior Debt to accelerate the maturity of the Senior Debt they hold.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, a covenant default will prevent us from making payments on the subordinated debt securities only for up to 179 days after holders of the Senior Debt give the trustee for the subordinated debt securities notice of the covenant default.

 

5


Table of Contents

The subordination provisions will not affect our obligation, which will be absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the subordination provisions will not prevent the occurrence of any default under the subordinated indenture.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Debt that we may incur. As a result of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities, if we became insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than our other creditors.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, “Senior Debt” will mean all notes or other indebtedness, including guarantees, of Continental for money borrowed and similar obligations, unless the terms of such indebtedness state that it is not senior to the subordinated debt securities or our other junior debt.

Subsidiary Guarantees

If specified in the prospectus supplement, our subsidiaries may guarantee our obligations relating to our debt securities issued under this prospectus. The specific terms and provisions of each subsidiary guarantee, including any provisions relating to the subordination of any subsidiary guarantee, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The obligations of each subsidiary guarantor under its subsidiary guarantee will be limited as necessary to seek to prevent that subsidiary guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable federal or state law.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indentures generally will permit a consolidation or merger between us and another entity. They also will permit the sale by us of our assets substantially as an entirety. The indentures will provide, however, that we may consolidate with another entity to form a new entity or merge into any other entity or transfer or dispose of our assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity only if:

 

   

the resulting or surviving entity assumes the due and punctual payments on the debt securities and the performance of our covenants and obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default would occur and be continuing; and

 

   

we deliver an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel stating that such transaction complies with the indenture.

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

   

our failure to pay interest or any required additional amounts on any debt securities of that series for 30 days;

 

   

our failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt securities of that series when due;

 

   

our failure to deposit any mandatory sinking fund payment for that series of debt securities when due for 30 days;

 

   

our failure to comply with any of our covenants or agreements in the debt securities of that series or the applicable indenture, other than an agreement or covenant that we have included in that indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities, for 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all the outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture that are affected by that failure;

 

6


Table of Contents
   

specified events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

   

any other event of default provided for that series of debt securities.

A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default or event of default, except in any payment on the debt securities, if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default, or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities affected, voting as one class, may declare the principal of and all accrued and all unpaid interest on those debt securities to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on all debt securities will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the applicable trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default, or of all senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities affected, voting as one class, may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement. Depending on the terms of our other indebtedness, an event of default under either of the indentures may give rise to cross defaults on our other indebtedness.

A holder of a debt security of any series will be able to pursue any remedy under the applicable indenture only if:

 

   

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default for that series;

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

   

the holder or holders offer to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it;

 

   

the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of notice and offer of indemnity; and

 

   

during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision will not, however, affect the right of a holder of a debt security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, or of all debt securities affected, voting as one class, will be able to direct the time, method and place of:

 

   

conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee; and

 

   

exercising any trust or power conferred on the applicable trustee not relating to or arising under an event of default.

Each indenture will require us to file with the trustee each year a written statement as to our compliance with the covenants contained in that indenture.

 

7


Table of Contents

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or supplement either indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under the applicable indenture and affected by the amendment or supplement, acting as one class, consent to it. Without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, however, no amendment or supplement may:

 

   

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

 

   

reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal of, premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment for any debt security;

 

   

change the stated maturity of any debt security;

 

   

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or change the time at which any debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

   

change any obligation to pay additional amounts on any debt security;

 

   

make the payments on any debt security payable in any currency or currency unit other than as the debt security originally states;

 

   

impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security;

 

   

make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debt securities necessary to waive compliance with specified provisions of the applicable indenture or to make any change in the applicable indenture’s provisions for modification;

 

   

waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on any debt security; or

 

   

with respect to the subordinated indenture, modify the provisions relating to the subordination of any subordinated debt security in a manner adverse to the holder of that security.

We and the applicable trustee may agree to amend or supplement either indenture or waive any provision of either indenture without the consent of any holders of debt securities in some circumstances, including:

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities or to provide for bearer debt securities;

 

   

to provide any security for or add guarantees of any series of debt securities;

 

   

to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

   

to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any debt securities or to surrender any rights we have under the indenture;

 

   

to add events of default with respect to any debt securities;

 

   

to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

   

to facilitate the defeasance or discharge of any series of debt securities if that change does not adversely affect the holders of debt securities of that series or any other series under the indenture in any material respect; and

 

   

to provide for the acceptance of a successor or another trustee.

 

8


Table of Contents

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series, or of all senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities affected, voting as one class, may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those debt securities. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any debt security or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Discharge and Defeasance

We will be discharged from all obligations under the applicable indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, except for surviving obligations relating to any conversion rights and to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, if:

 

   

all debt securities of the series previously authenticated and delivered under the relevant indenture have been delivered to the indenture trustee for cancellation; or

 

   

all debt securities of that series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year, at maturity or by redemption, and we irrevocably deposit with the applicable trustee funds or government securities sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to make payments on the debt securities of that series on the dates those payments are due.

To exercise our right to be discharged, we must deliver to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel and an officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the applicable indenture have been complied with.

In addition to our right of discharge described above, we may deposit with the applicable trustee funds or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

   

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

   

we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the applicable indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us, but some of our other obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of that series, including our obligation to make payments on those debt securities, will survive (“covenant defeasance”).

If we defease a series of debt securities, the holders of the debt securities of the series affected will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for our obligations to:

 

   

register the transfer or exchange of debt securities;

 

   

replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities; and

 

   

maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

 

9


Table of Contents

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Trustee

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities only after those holders have offered the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.

Each indenture will limit the right of the trustee, if it becomes one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions with us. If it acquires any conflicting interest, however, it must eliminate that conflict or resign.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities in registered form, without interest coupons. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that registration.

Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series with the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the applicable indenture. Holders may present debt securities for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent we designate. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will appoint the trustee under each indenture as security registrar for the debt securities we issue under that indenture. If the prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents initially designated by us, we may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts. We will be required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities or rescind the designation of any transfer agent.

In the case of any redemption, neither the security registrar nor the transfer agent will be required to register the transfer or exchange of any debt security:

 

   

during a period beginning 15 business days before the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and ending on the close of business on that day of mailing; or

 

   

if we have called the debt security for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will make payments on the debt securities in U.S. dollars at the office of the applicable trustee or any paying agent we designate. At our option, we may make payments by check mailed to the holder’s registered address or, with respect to global debt securities, by wire transfer. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

 

10


Table of Contents

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will designate the trustee under each indenture as our paying agent for payments on debt securities we issue under that indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will repay to us upon written request any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After repayment to us, holders entitled to those funds must look only to us for payment.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

We may issue the debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. We may issue global debt securities in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the terms of any depository arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security.

 

11


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share.

Common Stock

As of July 15, 2010, we had 169,959,944 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which is voting common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends if and when such dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CLR.”

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without shareholder approval. Our board of directors has discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:

 

   

restricting dividends on the common stock;

 

   

diluting the voting power of the common stock;

 

   

impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and

 

   

delaying or preventing a change in control of us.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

the payment of unlawful dividends and certain other actions prohibited by the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”); and

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.

 

12


Table of Contents

This provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation eliminates our right and the rights of our shareholders to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty of care, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above. This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any shareholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in investigations and legal proceedings resulting from their services to us.

Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that:

 

   

we will be required to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Oklahoma law;

 

   

we may indemnify our other employees and agents to the extent that we indemnify our officers and directors, unless otherwise required by law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws or agreements to which we are a party; and

 

   

we will be required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law.

We also have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers to give them additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and to provide additional procedural protections.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and of Oklahoma Law

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain the following additional provisions, some of which are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors. In addition, some provisions of the OGCA, if applicable to us, may hinder or delay an attempted takeover without prior approval of our board of directors.

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and of the OGCA could discourage attempts to acquire us or remove incumbent management. These provisions could, therefore, prevent shareholders from receiving a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock they hold.

Classified Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws divide our board of directors into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors is elected each year. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of our board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board.

Filling Board of Directors Vacancies; Removal. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office, though less than a quorum. Each director will hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal from office. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to us.

 

13


Table of Contents

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that, for so long as Harold G. Hamm, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and principal shareholder, and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock. However, from and after the date on which Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, for so long as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders may be taken at a duly called meeting of shareholders or by the written consent of shareholders owning the minimum number of shares required to approve the action. However, from and after the date on which Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, shareholders will not be permitted to act by written consent.

Call of Special Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called at any time by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board and may not be called by the shareholders.

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to bring business before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. With respect to the nomination of directors, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices (i) with respect to an election of directors to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not later than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders of the company and (ii) with respect to an election of directors to be held at a special meeting of shareholders, not earlier than 90 days prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the seventieth day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made. With respect to other business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not later than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders of the company. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders or may discourage or defer a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

No Cumulative Voting. Under cumulative voting, a minority shareholder holding a sufficient percentage of a class of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The OGCA provides that shareholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without shareholder approval, subject to various limitations imposed by the New York Stock Exchange. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

14


Table of Contents

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws. Pursuant to the OGCA, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may not be repealed or amended, in whole or in part, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock. In addition, after such time as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, the provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the classification of our board of directors may not be repealed or amended without the approval of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation permits our board of directors to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws can be amended by either our board of directors or, as long as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Oklahoma Business Combination Statute. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and as permitted under the OCGA, we have elected not to be subject to Section 1090.3 of the OGCA, Oklahoma’s anti-takeover law. In general this section prevents an “interested shareholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with us for three years following the date the person became an interested shareholder, unless:

 

   

prior to the date the person became an interested shareholder, our board of directors approved the transaction in which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder or approved the business combination;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owns stock having at least 85% of all voting power at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by our directors who are also officers and stock held by certain employee stock plans; or

 

   

on or subsequent to the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of all voting power not attributable to shares owned by the interested shareholder.

An “interested shareholder” is defined, generally, as any person that owns stock having 15% or more of all of our voting power, any person that is an affiliate or associate of us and owned stock having 15% or more of all of our voting power at any time within the three-year period prior to the time of determination of interested shareholder status, and any affiliate or associate of such person.

A “business combination” includes:

 

   

any merger or consolidation involving us and an interested shareholder;

 

   

any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to or with an interested shareholder of 10% or more of our assets;

 

   

subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by us of any of our stock to an interested shareholder;

 

   

any transaction involving us that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series or voting power owned by the interested shareholder;

 

   

the receipt by an interested shareholder of any loans, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through us; or

 

   

any share acquisition by the interested shareholder pursuant to Section 1090.1 of the OGCA.

 

15


Table of Contents

Because we opted out of the Oklahoma anti-takeover law, any interested shareholder can pursue a business combination transaction that is not approved by our board of directors.

Oklahoma Control Share Statute. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and as permitted under the OGCA, we have elected not to be subject to Sections 1145 through 1155 of the OGCA, Oklahoma’s control share acquisition statute. In general, Section 1145 of the OGCA defines “control shares” as our issued and outstanding shares that, in the absence of the Oklahoma control share statute, would have voting power, when added to all of our other shares that are owned, directly or beneficially, by an acquiring person or over which the acquiring person has the ability to exercise voting power, that would entitle the acquiring person, immediately after the acquisition of the shares to exercise, or direct the exercise of, such voting power in the election of directors within any of the following ranges of voting power:

 

   

one-fifth (1/5) or more but less than one-third (1/3) of all voting power;

 

   

one-third (1/3) or more but less than a majority of all voting power; or

 

   

a majority of all voting power.

A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, “control shares.” After a control share acquisition occurs, the acquiring person is subject to limitations on the ability to vote such control shares. Specifically, Section 1149 of the OGCA provides that under most control share acquisition scenarios, “the voting power of control shares having voting power of one-fifth (1/5) or more of all voting power is reduced to zero unless the shareholders of the issuing public corporation approve a resolution according the shares the same voting rights as they had before they became control shares.” Section 1153 of the OGCA provides the procedures for obtaining shareholder consent of a resolution of an “acquiring person” to determine the voting rights to be accorded the shares acquired or to be acquired in the control share acquisition.

Because we opted out of the Oklahoma control share statute, any shareholder holding control shares has the right to vote his or its shares in full in the election of directors.

Registration Rights

We have entered into a registration rights agreement with our principal shareholder and the two trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Hamm’s children covering all of the shares of common stock owned by our principal shareholder and the trusts.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

16


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and/or any selling security holder may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, (3) through agents or (4) a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will set forth the following information:

 

   

the terms of the offering;

 

   

the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

   

the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities from us;

 

   

the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

 

   

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

the initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any commissions paid to agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we and/or any selling security holder use underwriters in the sale of the offered securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. The underwriters may change from time to time the public offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

If we and/or any selling security holder use dealers in the sale of securities, we and/or any selling security holder may sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of these securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

 

17


Table of Contents

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We and/or any selling security holder may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We and/or any selling security holder may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In addition, we and/or any selling security holder may offer securities through at-the-market transactions. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We and/or any selling security holder may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we and/or any selling security holder so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we and/or any selling security holder may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from selected types of institutions to purchase securities from us and/or any selling security holder at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

We and/or any selling security holder may have agreements with firms, agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the firms, agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Such firms, agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us and/or any selling security holder in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Each series of offered securities will be a new issue, and other than our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for any of our offered securities will develop.

 

18


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Donald P. Fischbach, our general counsel. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Estimates of the crude oil and natural gas reserves of Continental Resources, Inc. and related future net cash flows and the present values thereof as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reserve reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineers. We have incorporated these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 

19


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The expenses of this offering (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) are estimated to be as follows:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ *
      

Legal fees and expenses

     **
      

Accounting fees and expenses

     **
      

Trustee fees and expenses

     **
      

Printing expenses

     **
      

Miscellaneous

     **
      

Total

   $ **
      

 

* In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
** These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Continental Resources, Inc. (“Continental”) is incorporated in Oklahoma. Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”) authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity under certain circumstances to directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with actions, suits or proceedings, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent, against expenses and liabilities incurred in such actions, suits or proceedings so long as they acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Continental, and with respect to any criminal action if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. With respect to suits by or in the right of such corporation, however, indemnification is generally limited to attorneys’ fees and other expenses and is not available if such person is adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the court determines that indemnification is appropriate.

As permitted by the OGCA, Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of its directors to Continental or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

 

   

for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to it or its shareholders;

 

   

for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

under section 1053 of the OGCA regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases; or

 

   

for any transaction for which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

As permitted by the OGCA, Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that Continental is required to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the OGCA.

 

II-1


Table of Contents

As permitted by Oklahoma law, Continental’s amended and restated bylaws provide that:

 

   

Continental may indemnify its other employees and agents, subject to very limited exceptions;

 

   

Continental is required to advance expenses (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees), as incurred, to its directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding, subject to very limited exceptions; and

 

   

the rights conferred in Continental’s bylaws are not exclusive.

The indemnification provisions in Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of its directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Under Oklahoma law, corporations also have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for directors, officers, employees and agents. Continental maintains liability insurance policies which indemnify its directors and officers against loss arising from claims by reason of their legal liability for acts as such directors and officers, subject to limitations and conditions as set forth in the policies.

Continental has entered into written indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers. These indemnification agreements are intended to permit indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the OGCA. It is possible that the applicable law could change the degree to which indemnification is expressly permitted.

The indemnification agreements cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred as a result of the fact that such person, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, is made or threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements generally cover claims relating to the fact that the indemnified party is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of Continental or any of its affiliates, or is or was serving at Continental’s request in such a position for another entity. The indemnification agreements also obligate Continental to promptly advance all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any claim. The indemnitee is, in turn, obligated to reimburse Continental for all amounts so advanced if it is later determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. The indemnification provided under the indemnification agreements is not exclusive of any other indemnity rights; however, double payment to the indemnitee is prohibited.

Continental will not be obligated to indemnify the indemnitee with respect to claims brought by the indemnitee against it without prior approval of a majority of Continental’s board of directors, except for claims brought by the Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under the indemnification agreement.

The foregoing discussion of Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Oklahoma law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such certificate of incorporation, bylaws or law.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

1.1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
4.1   Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Continental Resources, Inc. dated May 17, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Continental’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 22, 2007.
4.2   Second Amended and Restated By-laws of Continental Resources, Inc. amended and restated as of May 18, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Continental’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 22, 2007.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

  4.3   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 18, 2007 among Continental Resources, Inc., the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm, the Harold Hamm DST Trust and the Harold Hamm HJ Trust, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Continental’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 22, 2007.
  4.4   Specimen Common Stock Certificate incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 14, 2006 (Registration No. 333-132257).
  4.5*   Form of Senior Indenture.
  4.6*   Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  5.1*   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
  5.2*   Opinion of Donald P. Fischbach.
12.1*   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1*   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
23.2*   Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.3*   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.4*   Consent of Donald P. Fischbach (included in Exhibit 5.2).
24.1*   Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement).
25.1**   Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture on Form T-1.
25.2**   Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture on Form T-1.

 

* Filed herewith.
** Continental will file as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting agreement relating to securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities or preferred stock, (iii) any additional required opinion of counsel to Continental as to the legality of the securities offered hereby, (iv) any required opinion of counsel to Continental as to certain tax matters relative to securities offered hereby or (v) any Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the applicable trustee under the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

II-3


Table of Contents

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately before such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

II-4


Table of Contents

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by either registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Enid, State of Oklahoma, on this 16th day of July, 2010.

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
By:   /S/    JOHN D. HART        
 

John D. Hart

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

BANNER PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:   Continental Resources, Inc., its Sole Member
 

 

 

 

By:   /S/    JOHN D. HART        
 

John D. Hart

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John D. Hart and Donald P. Fischbach, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director (or, in the case of a limited liability company, a manager) or officer or both, as the case may be, of the respective registrant named below, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all documents or instruments necessary or appropriate to enable such registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director (or, in the case of a limited liability company, a manager) or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Continental Resources, Inc.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on July 16, 2010.

 

Signature

 

Title

/S/    HAROLD G. HAMM        

Harold G. Hamm

  Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director (principal executive officer)

 

II-6


Table of Contents

Signature

 

Title

/S/    JOHN D. HART        

John D. Hart

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

/S/    DAVID L. BOREN        

David L. Boren

 

Director

/S/    ROBERT J. GRANT        

Robert J. Grant

 

Director

/S/    ELLIS L. “LON” MCCAIN        

Ellis L. “Lon” McCain

 

Director

/S/    MARK E. MONROE        

Mark E. Monroe

 

Director

/S/    H. R. SANDERS, JR.        

H. R. Sanders, Jr.

 

Director

/S/    JOHN T. MCNABB, II        

John T. McNabb, II

 

Director

 

II-7

EX-4.5 2 dex45.htm FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE Form of Senior Indenture

Exhibit 4.5

FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE

 

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

as Issuer

and

 

 

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of                     ,     

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

 


CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of                     

 

 

 

Section of
Trust
Indenture
Act of 1939

       

Section(s)
of Indenture

Section 310

   (a)(1)    7.10
   (a)(2)    7.10
   (a)(3)    Not Applicable
   (a)(4)    Not Applicable
   (a)(5)    7.10
   (b)    7.08, 7.10

Section 311

   (a)    7.11
   (b)    7.11
   (c)    Not Applicable

Section 312

   (a)    2.07
   (b)    11.03
   (c)    11.03

Section 313

   (a)    7.06
   (b)    7.06
   (c)    7.06
   (d)    7.06

Section 314

   (a)    4.03, 4.04
   (b)    Not Applicable
   (c)(1)    11.04
   (c)(2)    11.04
   (c)(3)    Not Applicable
   (d)    Not Applicable
   (e)    11.05

Section 315

   (a)    7.01(b)
   (b)    7.05
   (c)    7.01(a)
   (d)    7.01(c)
   (d)(1)    7.01(c)(1)
   (d)(2)    7.01(c)(2)
   (d)(3)    7.01(c)(3)
   (e)    6.11

Section 316

   (a)(1)(A)    6.05
   (a)(1)(B)    6.04
   (a)(2)    Not Applicable
   (a)(last sentence)    2.11
   (b)    6.07

Section 317

   (a)(1)    6.08
   (a)(2)    6.09
   (b)    2.06

Section 318

   (a)    11.01

 

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

         Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   1

Section 1.01

  Definitions    1

Section 1.02

  Other Definitions    5

Section 1.03

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    5

Section 1.04

  Rules of Construction    5

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

   6

Section 2.01

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    6

Section 2.02

  Denominations    9

Section 2.03

  Forms Generally    9

Section 2.04

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    9

Section 2.05

  Registrar and Paying Agent    11

Section 2.06

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    11

Section 2.07

  Holder Lists    12

Section 2.08

  Transfer and Exchange    12

Section 2.09

  Replacement Securities    13

Section 2.10

  Outstanding Securities    13

Section 2.11

  Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities    13

Section 2.12

  Temporary Securities    14

Section 2.13

  Cancellation    14

Section 2.14

  Payments; Defaulted Interest    14

Section 2.15

  Persons Deemed Owners    15

Section 2.16

  Computation of Interest    15

Section 2.17

  Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions    15

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

   17

Section 3.01

  Applicability of Article    17

Section 3.02

  Notice to the Trustee    17

Section 3.03

  Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed    17

Section 3.04

  Notice of Redemption    18

Section 3.05

  Effect of Notice of Redemption    18

Section 3.06

  Deposit of Redemption Price    19

Section 3.07

  Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part    19

Section 3.08

  Purchase of Securities    19

Section 3.09

  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    20

Section 3.10

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities    20

Section 3.11

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund    20

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

   21

Section 4.01

  Payment of Securities    21

Section 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency    21

Section 4.03

  SEC Reports; Financial Statements    22

Section 4.04

  Compliance Certificate    22

Section 4.05

  Existence    22

 

i


Section 4.06

  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws    23

Section 4.07

  Additional Amounts    23

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

   24

Section 5.01

  Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Other Transactions    24

Section 5.02

  Successor Person Substituted    24

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   24

Section 6.01

  Events of Default    24

Section 6.02

  Acceleration    26

Section 6.03

  Other Remedies    27

Section 6.04

  Waiver of Defaults    27

Section 6.05

  Control by Majority    27

Section 6.06

  Limitations on Suits    28

Section 6.07

  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment    28

Section 6.08

  Collection Suit by Trustee    28

Section 6.09

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    29

Section 6.10

  Priorities    29

Section 6.11

  Undertaking for Costs    30

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

   30

Section 7.01

  Duties of Trustee    30

Section 7.02

  Rights of Trustee    31

Section 7.03

  May Hold Securities    32

Section 7.04

  Trustee’s Disclaimer    32

Section 7.05

  Notice of Defaults    32

Section 7.06

  Reports by Trustee to Holders    32

Section 7.07

  Compensation and Indemnity    32

Section 7.08

  Replacement of Trustee    33

Section 7.09

  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    35

Section 7.10

  Eligibility; Disqualification    35

Section 7.11

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    35

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

   35

Section 8.01

  Termination of Company’s Obligations    35

Section 8.02

  Application of Trust Money    39

Section 8.03

  Repayment to Company    39

Section 8.04

  Reinstatement    40

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

   40

Section 9.01

  Without Consent of Holders    40

Section 9.02

  With Consent of Holders    41

Section 9.03

  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    43

Section 9.04

  Revocation and Effect of Consents    43

Section 9.05

  Notation on or Exchange of Securities    43

Section 9.06

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    44

 

ii


ARTICLE X GUARANTEES

   44

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

   44

Section 11.01

  Trust Indenture Act Controls    44

Section 11.02

  Notices    44

Section 11.03

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders    45

Section 11.04

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    45

Section 11.05

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    46

Section 11.06

  Rules by Trustee and Agents    46

Section 11.07

  Legal Holidays    46

Section 11.08

  No Recourse Against Others    46

Section 11.09

  Governing Law    47

Section 11.10

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    47

Section 11.11

  Successors    47

Section 11.12

  Severability    47

Section 11.13

  Counterpart Originals    47

Section 11.14

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    47

 

iii


INDENTURE dated as of                          between Continental Resources, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma (herein called the “Company”), and                         , as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

The Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), 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 agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to those Holders.

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

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

1


“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase (other than convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness), warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by that corporation.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean that successor corporation; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any) on the Securities of a series.

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” of the Trustee means the office of the Trustee located at                     , and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

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

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include that successor.

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

“Global Security” of any series means a Security of that Series that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of that government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee by any guarantor of the obligations under this Indenture.

 

2


“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

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

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the date on which the Securities of that series are originally issued under this Indenture.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

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

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. That counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or 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 on a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

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

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) on and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01.

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

 

3


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

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of that series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of that series, or any successor entity thereto.

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

“Subsidiary” means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock that ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has that voting power by reason of any contingency.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date hereof.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means 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 means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands).

“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien or foreign fiduciary of an estate or trust, or a foreign partnership.

 

4


“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Defined Term

   Defined
in Section

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

   6.01

“Conversion Event”

   6.01

“covenant defeasance”

   8.01

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Exchange Rate”

   2.11

“Judgment Currency”

   6.10

“legal defeasance”

   8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.05

“Registrar”

   2.05

“Required Currency”

   6.10

“Successor”

   5.01

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

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

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

 

5


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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(6) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

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

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in a manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate or in a Company Order, 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 the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

(2) if there is to be a limit, the limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of that series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to that effect;

(3) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange those interests for Securities of that series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which those exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of that series;

 

6


(4) (i) if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and (ii) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to those Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which that interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which that interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date;

(7) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions on which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company may exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

(9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions on which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to that obligation;

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

(11) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(12) if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series as to which that election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions on which that election is to be made;

 

7


(13) if the amount of payments of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which those amounts shall be determined;

(14) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable on declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(15) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from those conditions or limitations;

(16) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

(17) any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

(18) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or on the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for that conversion or exchange;

(19) if the Securities of the series shall have the benefits of any Guarantee and, if so, the identity of the guarantor or guarantors and the terms and provisions applicable to any such Guarantee;

(20) if the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

(21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of that action together with that Board Resolution shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

8


Section 2.02 Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of that series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

Section 2.03 Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially the form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of those Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing those Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

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

 

                                                                 , as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Officer”.

Section 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities of each series on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature. The Company’s seal, if any, shall be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the Securities and may be in facsimile form.

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

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers that Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be

 

9


accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture that Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver those Securities for original issue on a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of those Securities or pursuant to such procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. That order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of that series not otherwise determined. If provided for in those procedures, that Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of that series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating those Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to those Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying on,

(a) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i) if the form of those Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution, as is permitted by Section 2.01, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) if the terms of those Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution, as is permitted by Section 2.01, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) those Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in that Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

10


If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but that Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate those Securities if the issuance of those Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

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

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of that series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to that Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

Section 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

With respect to each series of Securities, the Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders of Securities of that series or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to

 

11


pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent with respect to a series of Securities, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of that series all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

Section 2.07 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of the Securities of that series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01, when Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of those Securities or to exchange those Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for those transactions are met; provided, however, that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities (other than Global Securities). No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable on exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the date of mailing.

 

12


Section 2.09 Replacement Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of that Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If 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 that Security. If required by the Trustee or the Company, the Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

Section 2.10 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

Section 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of that determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for that currency, as that rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of that Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of that Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of that Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of that other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

13


Section 2.12 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

Section 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. Unless the Company shall direct in writing that canceled Securities be returned to it, after written notice to the Company all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01 with respect to the Securities of any series, interest (except defaulted 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 Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding that Interest Payment Date, even if those Securities are canceled after that record date and on or before that Interest Payment Date. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Those amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay those amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in that money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of that series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth that record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders of any such series of Securities a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of that interest to be paid.

 

14


Section 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners.

The Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of that Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to that Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 2.16 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

Section 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent those of the outstanding Securities of that series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in that Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for that Security, from that Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in that Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in that Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company authorizes the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to that Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

15


Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under that Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of that Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of any series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Securities of that series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of that series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian or any agent of the Company, the Trustee, or the Security Custodian from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01, transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of that Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities of any series shall be transferred to all beneficial owners of a Global Security of that series in exchange for their beneficial interests in that Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for that Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of that notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to that series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities of that series in lieu of all or a portion of that Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities of that series within 30 days of that request) or (3) the Company determines not to have the Securities of that series represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee on receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security of any series to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series of authorized denominations.

Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to those Securities. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from that Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

 

16


The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if that Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 with respect to Securities of any series, payment of principal of and premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

Section 3.02 Notice to the Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least 40 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of that series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of that notice of redemption to any Holder of the Securities of that series and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

Section 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of that series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the outstanding Securities of that series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. That redemption 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 that series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of that series.

 

17


The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the 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.

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

Section 3.04 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by 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 of a series to be redeemed, at the address of that Holder appearing in the register of Securities for that series maintained by the Registrar.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price;

(3) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of those Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price on surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

(4) if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, on surrender for cancellation of that Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6) that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if that is the case; and

(7) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to those Securities.

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 written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying

 

18


Agent, those Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to that Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

Section 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company defaults in the payment of that Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not those Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of those Securities shall have no further rights with respect to those Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price on surrender of those Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid on surrender thereof for redemption, the principal of and premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, their initial yield to maturity.

Section 3.07 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of that Security without service charge a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by that Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

Section 3.08 Purchase of Securities.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by those Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and, on that cancellation, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

19


Section 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of the minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of that series and by this Article III.

Section 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of those Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of those Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series required to be made pursuant to the terms of that series of Securities; provided that those Securities have not been previously so credited. Those Securities shall be received and credited for that purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in those Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund, and the amount of that sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver that Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for that series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of that series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to that series as provided in this Section.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, that cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of that series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If that amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar

 

20


equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request, then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed on that sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. That notice having been duly given, the redemption of those Securities shall be made on the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of that series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal of and premium (if any) on Securities of any series, at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities of that series to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest on and any overdue payments of Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or on the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee, that office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at                 . The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of that office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, those presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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 those purposes and may from time to time rescind those designations; provided, however, that no such

 

21


designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for those 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.

Section 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of those portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

(b) If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly on their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement signed by an Officer of the Company, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that, in the course of performance by the signing Officer of the Company of his or her duties as such Officer of the Company, he or she would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which that Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly on any Officer of the Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying that Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Existence.

Subject to Article V hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Subsidiaries and all rights (charter and statutory) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve the existence of any Subsidiary of the Company or any such right if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof would not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and would not have any material adverse effect on the payment and performance of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture.

 

22


Section 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist on, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company 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.

Section 4.07 Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of that series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, that mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in that context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where that express mention is not made.

Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01 with respect to Securities of any series, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least ten days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least ten days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether that payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then that Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on those payments to those Holders of Securities, and the Company will pay to that Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for and to hold them harmless against any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 4.07.

 

23


ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Other Transactions.

The Company shall not, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with any other Person into, or merge into, any other Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(1) the Person formed by that consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or to which that sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to that transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and that supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 5.01, any Successor formed by that consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which that sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if that Successor had been named as the Company herein and the predecessor Company, in the case of a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing that series of Securities or in the form of Security for that series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and that default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

24


(2) the Company defaults in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

(3) the Company defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and that default continues for a period of 30 days;

(4) the Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

(5) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

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

(C) consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

(A) is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company; or

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

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

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of a Default unless a Trust Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee receives written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of that Default with specific reference to that Default.

 

25


When a Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company (a “Conversion Event”), the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making that payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of that payment, or, if that rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of that notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of those payments.

A Default under clause (4) or (7) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by that Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by that Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any of those Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of that series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on those Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, those amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that

 

26


default or all series, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding with respect to Securities of any series even if it does not possess any of the Securities of that series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing on an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series or all series, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of that series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of that series or all series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of that series or all series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, that Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any

 

27


trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with that direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking that action.

Section 6.06 Limitations on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that series only if:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to that series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

(5) during that 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to that Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in that Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after those respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of that series, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

28


Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceeding relative to the Company or its creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make those payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of those payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in that proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. 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 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which that money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on those Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee, on prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the

 

29


Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Business Day next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section to Holders of Securities, but payment of that judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company on the claim or claims underlying that judgment.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, 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 conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, on certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine those certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

30


(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee with respect to Securities of any series shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on that instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of that 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.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred on it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

31


Section 7.03 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision hereof; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of that series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of that series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of that series.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after each May 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series and the Company a brief report dated as of that reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of that series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee on request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Those expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

32


The Company hereby indemnifies the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of that counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series. That lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only on the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company 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

 

33


one or more or all of those series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment 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 (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept that appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers 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. Nothing herein or in that supplemental indenture shall constitute those Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and 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. Upon the execution and delivery of that supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates. On the request of the Company or any successor Trustee, that retiring Trustee shall transfer to that successor Trustee all property held by that retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates.

 

34


Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

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 that authenticating Trustee may adopt that authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate those Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all those cases those certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under those laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a Subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 8.01 Termination of Company’s Obligations.

(a) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except as to any surviving rights of conversion or of registration of transfer or exchange

 

35


of Securities expressly provided for herein and except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series, when:

(1) either

(A) all outstanding Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all outstanding Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(iv) have become due and payable, or

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

(vi) 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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for that purpose (x) cash in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of cash in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of that series for principal and any interest and any Additional Amounts to the date of that deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, interest and any Additional Amounts to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

(C) the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it hereunder with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

36


(b) Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may terminate certain of its obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

(1) the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities of that series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of that series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to that series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of that series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay, without consideration of the reinvestment of any such amounts and after payment of all taxes or other charges or assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of that series on each date that such principal, premium (if any), interest or Additional Amounts are due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or on redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply that money and/or the proceeds of those Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any), interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series as the same shall become due;

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of that deposit;

(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or a tax ruling to the effect that the Holders of Securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) 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 that option had not been exercised;

(5) the Company has complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

 

37


(6) that deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b).

In that event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 5.01, 7.07, 7.08 and 8.04, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of that series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of that series.

After making the irrevocable deposit pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and following satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee on request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series, except for those surviving obligations specified above.

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before that payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Any such Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

(c) If the Company has previously complied or is concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect to be discharged (“legal defeasance”) from its obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of that series, if:

(1) no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of that period);

(2) unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to that legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or (iii) a change in the applicable federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

(3) the Company has complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

 

38


(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting legal defeasance of the Securities of that series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to legal defeasance of the Securities of that series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

In that event, the Company will be discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of that series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, Securities of that series, the Company’s obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 5.01 shall terminate with respect to those Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by those Securities shall be deemed paid and discharged.

(d) If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of that series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of that series.

(e) If Securities of any series subject to subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for that redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Section 8.02 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or a trustee reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made.

Section 8.03 Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company at any time on the written request of the Company any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company on written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date on which that payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to that money shall cease.

 

39


Section 8.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting that application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series and under the Securities of that series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of those Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to comply with Section 5.01;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

(4) to provide any security for any series of Securities or to add Guarantees of any series of Securities;

(5) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

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

(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which that Event of Default is applicable);

 

40


(8) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of that amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by that change in or elimination of that provision;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(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 pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of that series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by that amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of that amendment or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if that consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of that series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of that series or a

 

41


solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of that series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of that series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of, premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable on a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(4) reduce the premium, if any, payable on the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5) change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

(6) change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02; or

(9) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

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

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from that Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which that consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

42


After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail that notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder 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 or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with Section 316(c) of the TIA) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at that record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to that amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not those Persons continue to be Holders after that record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after that record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for that amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within that 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In that case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of that amendment or supplement.

 

43


Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Company, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in that amendment or supplement.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign that amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying on, an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding on the Company in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTEES

Any series of Securities may be guaranteed by one or more guarantors. The terms and the form of any such Guarantee will be established in the manner contemplated by Section 2.01 for that particular series of Securities.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 11.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company:

Continental Resources, Inc.

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

Enid, Oklahoma 77380

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

44


If to the Trustee:

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

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

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee or the Company by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of that notice.

Section 11.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

Section 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

45


(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of that counsel, all those conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

Section 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making that certificate or opinion has read that covenant or condition;

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

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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of that Person, that condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 11.07 Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 11.08 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, any guarantor or the Trustee (other than a stockholder, partner or other owner which itself is the Company or a guarantor of the Securities), as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or for any obligations of the Company, any guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of those obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all that liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of Securities.

 

46


Section 11.09 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREUNDER TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 11.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 11.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 11.13 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

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

 

47


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

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
 
as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

48

EX-4.6 3 dex46.htm FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE Form of Subordinated Indenture

Exhibit 4.6

FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

 

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

as Issuer

and

 

 

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of                 ,     

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 


CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of                     

 

 

 

Section of

Trust

Indenture

Act of 1939

        Section(s)
of Indenture
Section 310    (a)(1)    7.10
   (a)(2)    7.10
   (a)(3)    Not Applicable
   (a)(4)    Not Applicable
   (a)(5)    7.10
   (b)    7.08, 7.10
Section 311    (a)    7.11
   (b)    7.11
   (c)    Not Applicable
Section 312    (a)    2.07
   (b)    12.03
   (c)    12.03
Section 313    (a)    7.06
   (b)    7.06
   (c)    7.06
   (d)    7.06
Section 314    (a)    4.03, 4.04
   (b)    Not Applicable
   (c)(1)    12.04
   (c)(2)    12.04
   (c)(3)    Not Applicable
   (d)    Not Applicable
   (e)    12.05
Section 315    (a)    7.01(b)
   (b)    7.05
   (c)    7.01(a)
   (d)    7.01(c)
   (d)(1)    7.01(c)(1)
   (d)(2)    7.01(c)(2)
   (d)(3)    7.01(c)(3)
   (e)    6.11
Section 316    (a)(1)(A)    6.05
   (a)(1)(B)    6.04
   (a)(2)    Not Applicable
   (a)(last sentence)    2.11
   (b)    6.07
Section 317    (a)(1)    6.08
   (a)(2)    6.09
   (b)    2.06
Section 318    (a)    12.01

 

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE    1

Section 1.01

   Definitions    1

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions    6

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    7

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction    7
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES    7

Section 2.01

   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    7

Section 2.02

   Denominations    10

Section 2.03

   Forms Generally    10

Section 2.04

   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    11

Section 2.05

   Registrar and Paying Agent    13

Section 2.06

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    13

Section 2.07

   Holder Lists    13

Section 2.08

   Transfer and Exchange    14

Section 2.09

   Replacement Securities    14

Section 2.10

   Outstanding Securities    15

Section 2.11

   Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities    15

Section 2.12

   Temporary Securities    15

Section 2.13

   Cancellation    16

Section 2.14

   Payments; Defaulted Interest    16

Section 2.15

   Persons Deemed Owners    16

Section 2.16

   Computation of Interest    17

Section 2.17

   Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions    17
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION    19

Section 3.01

   Applicability of Article    19

Section 3.02

   Notice to the Trustee    19

Section 3.03

   Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed    19

Section 3.04

   Notice of Redemption    20

Section 3.05

   Effect of Notice of Redemption    20

Section 3.06

   Deposit of Redemption Price    20

Section 3.07

   Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part    21

Section 3.08

   Purchase of Securities    21

Section 3.09

   Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    21

Section 3.10

   Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities    22

Section 3.11

   Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund    22
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS    23

Section 4.01

   Payment of Securities    23

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    23

Section 4.03

   SEC Reports; Financial Statements    23

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate    24

Section 4.05

   Existence    24

 

i


Section 4.06

   Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws    24

Section 4.07

   Additional Amounts    25

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

   26

Section 5.01

   Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Other Transactions    26

Section 5.02

   Successor Person Substituted    26

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   26

Section 6.01

   Events of Default    26

Section 6.02

   Acceleration    28

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies    29

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Defaults    29

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority    29

Section 6.06

   Limitations on Suits    30

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment    30

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee    30

Section 6.09

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    31

Section 6.10

   Priorities    31

Section 6.11

   Undertaking for Costs    32

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

   32

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee    32

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee    33

Section 7.03

   May Hold Securities    33

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer    34

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults    34

Section 7.06

   Reports by Trustee to Holders    34

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity    34

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee    35

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc    37

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification    37

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    37

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

   37

Section 8.01

   Termination of Company’s Obligations    37

Section 8.02

   Application of Trust Money    41

Section 8.03

   Repayment to Company    41

Section 8.04

   Reinstatement    42

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

   42

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders    42

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders    43

Section 9.03

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    45

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    45

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Securities    46

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    46

 

ii


ARTICLE X SUBORDINATION    46

Section 10.01

   Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness    46

Section 10.02

   No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances    47

Section 10.03

   Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Indebtedness on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization    48

Section 10.04

   Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness    49

Section 10.05

   Obligations of the Company Unconditional    49

Section 10.06

   Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice    50

Section 10.07

   Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It    50

Section 10.08

   Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness    50

Section 10.09

   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities    51

Section 10.10

   Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Indebtedness    51

Section 10.11

   Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default    51

Section 10.12

   No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Indebtedness    51

Section 10.13

   Article Applicable to Paying Agent    52

ARTICLE XI GUARANTEES

   52

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

   52

Section 12.01

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    52

Section 12.02

   Notices    52

Section 12.03

   Communication by Holders with Other Holders    53

Section 12.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    53

Section 12.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    54

Section 12.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    54

Section 12.07

   Legal Holidays    54

Section 12.08

   No Recourse Against Others    54

Section 12.09

   Governing Law    55

Section 12.10

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    55

Section 12.11

   Successors    55

Section 12.12

   Severability    55

Section 12.13

   Counterpart Originals    55

Section 12.14

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    55

 

iii


INDENTURE dated as of                      between Continental Resources, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma (herein called the “Company”), and                     , as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences (herein called the “Securities”), 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 purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to those Holders.

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

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

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

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.


Capital Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase (other than convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness), warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by that corporation.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of that Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of that obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean that successor corporation; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any) on the Securities of a series.

Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office” of the Trustee means the office of the Trustee located at                     , and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

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

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include that successor.

Designated Senior Indebtedness,” unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, means any Senior Indebtedness of the Company that (i) in the instrument evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or related documents to which the Company is a party) is expressly designated as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture and (ii) satisfies such other conditions as may be provided with respect to the Securities of that series; provided that those instruments or documents may place limitations and conditions on the right of that Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness.

Disqualified Capital Stock” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, (i) except as set forth in (ii), with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of that Person that, by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable, is, or on the happening of an event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased (including at the option of the holder thereof) by that Person or any Subsidiary of that Person, in whole or in part, on or prior to the last Stated Maturity of the Securities of that series, and (ii) with respect to any Subsidiary of that Person (including with respect to any Subsidiary of the Company), any Capital Stock other than any common stock with no preference, privileges, or redemption or repayment provisions.

 

2


Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

Global Security” of any series means a Security of that Series that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of that government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government.

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any guarantor of the obligations under this Indenture.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness of that Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of that Person or only to a portion thereof), (ii) all obligations of that Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of that Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit, bid or performance bonds and other similar obligations issued by or for the account of that Person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if that drawing is reimbursed not later than 30 Business Days following demand for reimbursement, (iv) all obligations of that Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables, advances on contracts and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business, (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of that Person, (vi) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of that Person, whether or not that Indebtedness is assumed by that Person (provided that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by that Person or are not otherwise that Person’s legal liability in full, then those obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of those obligations and (2) the fair market value of those assets, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or other managing body of that Person and (b) the amount of obligations as have been assumed by that Person or which are otherwise that Person’s legal liability), and (vii) all guarantees by that Person of or with respect to Indebtedness of others (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business), in each case to the extent of the Indebtedness guaranteed.

 

3


Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

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

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the date on which the Securities of that series are originally issued under this Indenture.

Junior security” of a Person means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, any Qualified Capital Stock of that Person or any Indebtedness of that Person that is subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities of that series and has no scheduled installment of principal due, by redemption, sinking fund payment or otherwise, on or prior to the last Stated Maturity of the Securities of that series.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

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

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. That counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or 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 on a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

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

 

4


Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) on and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01.

principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

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

Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of that series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of that series, or any successor entity thereto.

Senior Indebtedness” of the Company, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, means (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on (including interest accruing or becoming owing prior to or subsequent to the commencement of any proceeding against or with respect to the Company under any bankruptcy law) and other amounts due on or in connection with any Indebtedness of the Company, whether currently outstanding or hereafter incurred, issued or assumed, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing that Indebtedness, it is provided that such Indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Indebtedness which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, and (ii) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Indebtedness or securities, notes or other evidences of Indebtedness issued in exchange for that Indebtedness; provided that in no event shall “Senior Indebtedness” of the Company include Indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Company or any executive officer or director of the Company.

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

Subsidiary” means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting

 

5


stock” means stock that ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has that voting power by reason of any contingency.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date hereof.

Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means 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 means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands).

United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien or foreign fiduciary of an estate or trust, or a foreign partnership.

U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Defined Term

   Defined
in Section

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

   6.01

“Conversion Event”

   6.01

“covenant defeasance”

   8.01

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Exchange Rate”

   2.11

“Judgment Currency”

   6.10

“legal defeasance”

   8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.05

“Payment Default”

   10.02

“Payment Blocking Notice”

   10.02

“Registrar”

   2.05

“Required Currency”

   6.10

“Successor”

   5.01

 

6


Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

Commission” means the SEC.

indenture securities” means the Securities.

indenture security holder” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

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

obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(6) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

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

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in a manner provided, in an

 

7


Officers’ Certificate or in a Company Order, 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 the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

(2) if there is to be a limit, the limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of that series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to that effect;

(3) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange those interests for Securities of that series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which those exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of that series;

(4) (i) if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and (ii) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to those Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which that interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which that interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date;

(7) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions on which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company may exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

 

8


(9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions on which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to that obligation;

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

(11) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(12) if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series as to which that election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions on which that election is to be made;

(13) if the amount of payments of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which those amounts shall be determined;

(14) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable on declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(15) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from those conditions or limitations;

(16) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

(17) any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

 

9


(18) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or on the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for that conversion or exchange;

(19) if the Securities of the series shall have the benefits of any Guarantee and, if so, the identity of the guarantor or guarantors and the terms and provisions applicable to any such Guarantee;

(20) if the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities);

(21) any modifications to, or qualifications contemplated by, the definition of “Designated Senior Indebtedness,” any modifications to the definition of “Senior Indebtedness” of the Company or any modifications to Article X or the other provisions regarding subordination with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(22) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of that action together with that Board Resolution shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided in Article X.

Section 2.02 Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of that series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

Section 2.03 Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially the form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s

 

10


certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of those Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing those Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

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

 

_________________________________, as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Officer”.

Section 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities of each series on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature. The Company’s seal, if any, shall be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the Securities and may be in facsimile form.

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

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers that Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture that Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver those Securities for original issue on a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of those Securities or pursuant to such procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. That order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the

 

11


initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of that series not otherwise determined. If provided for in those procedures, that Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of that series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating those Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to those Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 12.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying on,

(a) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the second to last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i) if the form of those Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution, as is permitted by Section 2.01, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) if the terms of those Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution, as is permitted by Section 2.01, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) those Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in that Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but that Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate those Securities if the issuance of those Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

12


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

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of that series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to that Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

Section 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

With respect to each series of Securities, the Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders of Securities of that series or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent with respect to a series of Securities, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of that series all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

Section 2.07 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each series of Securities and

 

13


shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of the Securities of that series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01, when Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of those Securities or to exchange those Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for those transactions are met; provided, however, that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities (other than Global Securities). No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable on exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the date of mailing.

Section 2.09 Replacement Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of that Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If 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 that Security. If required by the Trustee or the Company, the Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

14


Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

Section 2.10 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

Section 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of that determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for that currency, as that rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of that Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of that Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of that Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of that other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.12 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

15


Section 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. Unless the Company shall direct in writing that canceled Securities be returned to it, after written notice to the Company all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01 with respect to the Securities of any series, interest (except defaulted 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 Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding that Interest Payment Date, even if those Securities are canceled after that record date and on or before that Interest Payment Date. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Those amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay those amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in that money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of that series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth that record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders of any such series of Securities a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of that interest to be paid.

Section 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners.

The Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of that Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to that Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

16


Section 2.16 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

Section 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent those of the outstanding Securities of that series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in that Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for that Security, from that Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in that Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in that Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company authorizes the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to that Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under that Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of that Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of any series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Securities of that series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of that series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian or any agent of the Company, the Trustee, or the Security Custodian from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

 

17


Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01, transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of that Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities of any series shall be transferred to all beneficial owners of a Global Security of that series in exchange for their beneficial interests in that Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for that Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of that notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to that series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities of that series in lieu of all or a portion of that Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities of that series within 30 days of that request) or (3) the Company determines not to have the Securities of that series represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee on receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security of any series to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series of authorized denominations.

Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to those Securities. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from that Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if that Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

 

18


Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 with respect to Securities of any series, payment of principal of and premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

Section 3.02 Notice to the Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least 40 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of that series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of that notice of redemption to any Holder of the Securities of that series and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

Section 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of that series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the outstanding Securities of that series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. That redemption 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 that series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the 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.

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

 

19


Section 3.04 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by 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 of a series to be redeemed, at the address of that Holder appearing in the register of Securities for that series maintained by the Registrar.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price;

(3) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of those Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price on surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

(4) if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, on surrender for cancellation of that Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6) that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if that is the case; and

(7) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to those Securities.

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 written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, those Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to that Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

Section 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust

 

20


as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company defaults in the payment of that Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not those Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of those Securities shall have no further rights with respect to those Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price on surrender of those Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid on surrender thereof for redemption, the principal of and premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, their initial yield to maturity.

Section 3.07 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of that Security without service charge a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by that Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

Section 3.08 Purchase of Securities.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by those Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and, on that cancellation, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

Section 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of the minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of that series and by this Article III.

 

21


Section 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of those Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of those Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series required to be made pursuant to the terms of that series of Securities; provided that those Securities have not been previously so credited. Those Securities shall be received and credited for that purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in those Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund, and the amount of that sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver that Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for that series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of that series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to that series as provided in this Section.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, that cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of that series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If that amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request, then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed on that sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. That notice having been duly given, the redemption of those Securities shall be made on the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

 

22


ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of that series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal of and premium (if any) on Securities of any series, at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities of that series to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest on and any overdue payments of Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of that series (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or on the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee, that office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at                     . The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of that office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, those presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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 those purposes and may from time to time rescind those designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for those 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.

Section 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of those portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

 

23


(b) If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly on their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement signed by an Officer of the Company, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that, in the course of performance by the signing Officer of the Company of his or her duties as such Officer of the Company, he or she would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which that Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly on any Officer of the Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying that Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Existence.

Subject to Article V hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Subsidiaries and all rights (charter and statutory) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve the existence of any Subsidiary of the Company or any such right if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof would not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and would not have any material adverse effect on the payment and performance of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture.

Section 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist on, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and

 

24


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.

Section 4.07 Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of that series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, that mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in that context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where that express mention is not made.

Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01 with respect to Securities of any series, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least ten days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least ten days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether that payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then that Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on those payments to those Holders of Securities, and the Company will pay to that Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for and to hold them harmless against any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 4.07.

 

25


ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Other Transactions.

The Company shall not, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with any other Person into, or merge into, any other Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(1) the Person formed by that consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or to which that sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities;

(2) immediately after giving effect to that transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and that supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 5.01, any Successor formed by that consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which that sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if that Successor had been named as the Company herein and the predecessor Company, in the case of a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing that series of Securities or in the form of Security for that series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and that default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

(3) the Company defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and that default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

26


(4) the Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

(5) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

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

(C) consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

(A) is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company; or

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

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

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of a Default unless a Trust Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee receives written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of that Default with specific reference to that Default.

When a Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company (a “Conversion Event”), the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making that payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of that payment, or, if that rate is not then available, on the basis of the most

 

27


recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of that notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 12.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 12.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of those payments.

A Default under clause (4) or (7) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by that Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by that Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any of those Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of that series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on those Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, those amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by that default or all series, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

 

28


Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding with respect to Securities of any series even if it does not possess any of the Securities of that series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing on an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series or all series, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of that series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of that series or all series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of that series or all series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, that Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with that direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking that action.

 

29


Section 6.06 Limitations on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that series only if:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to that series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

(5) during that 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to that Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in that Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after those respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of that series, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

30


Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceeding relative to the Company or its creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make those payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of those payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in that proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. 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 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, subject to Article X, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which that money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on those Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee, on prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New

 

31


York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Business Day next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section to Holders of Securities, but payment of that judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company on the claim or claims underlying that judgment.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, 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 conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, on certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine those certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

32


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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee with respect to Securities of any series shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on that instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of that 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.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred on it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

Section 7.03 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

33


Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision hereof; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of that series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of that series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of that series.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after each May 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series and the Company a brief report dated as of that reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of that series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee on request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Those expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

34


The Company hereby indemnifies the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of that counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series. That lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only on the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company 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 those series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

35


If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment 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 (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept that appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers 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. Nothing herein or in that supplemental indenture shall constitute those Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and 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. Upon the execution and delivery of that supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates. On the request of the Company or any successor Trustee, that retiring Trustee shall transfer to that successor Trustee all property held by that retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of that successor Trustee relates.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

36


Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

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 that authenticating Trustee may adopt that authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate those Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all those cases those certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under those laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a Subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 8.01 Termination of Company’s Obligations.

(a) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except as to any surviving rights of conversion or of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities expressly provided for herein and except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the

 

37


Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series, when:

(1) either

(A) all outstanding Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all outstanding Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(i) have become due and payable, 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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for that purpose (x) cash in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of cash in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of that series for principal and any interest and any Additional Amounts to the date of that deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, interest and any Additional Amounts to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

(C) the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it hereunder with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

38


(b) Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may terminate certain of its obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

(1) the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities of that series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of that series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to that series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of that series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay, without consideration of the reinvestment of any such amounts and after payment of all taxes or other charges or assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of that series on each date that such principal, premium (if any), interest or Additional Amounts are due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or on redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply that money and/or the proceeds of those Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any), interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series as the same shall become due;

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of that deposit;

(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or a tax ruling to the effect that the Holders of Securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) 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 that option had not been exercised;

(5) the Company has complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

(6) that deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b).

 

39


In that event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 5.01, 7.07, 7.08 and 8.04, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of that series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of that series.

After making the irrevocable deposit pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and following satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee on request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series, except for those surviving obligations specified above.

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before that payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Any such Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

(c) If the Company has previously complied or is concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect to be discharged (“legal defeasance”) from its obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of that series, if:

(1) no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of that period);

(2) unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to that legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or (iii) a change in the applicable federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

(3) the Company has complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting legal defeasance of the Securities of that series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to legal defeasance of the Securities of that series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

40


In that event, the Company will be discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of that series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, Securities of that series, the Company’s obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 5.01 shall terminate with respect to those Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by those Securities shall be deemed paid and discharged.

(d) If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to that series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of that series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of that series.

(e) If Securities of any series subject to subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for that redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Section 8.02 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or a trustee reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made. Money and securities held in trust are not subject to Article X.

Section 8.03 Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company at any time on the written request of the Company any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company on written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date on which that payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to that money shall cease.

 

41


Section 8.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting that application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series and under the Securities of that series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of those Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to comply with Section 5.01;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

(4) to provide any security for any series of Securities or to add Guarantees of any series of Securities;

(5) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

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

(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which that Event of Default is applicable);

 

42


(8) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of that amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by that change in or elimination of that provision;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(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 pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of that series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by that amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of that amendment or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if that consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of that series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of that series or a

 

43


solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of that series, provided that in each case that offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of that series (but the terms of that offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of, premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable on a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(4) reduce the premium, if any, payable on the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5) change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

(6) change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

(9) modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of any Security in a manner adverse to the Holder thereof; or

(10) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

An amendment under this Section may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article X of any holder of an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company unless the holders of the issue pursuant to its terms consent to the change.

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

 

44


The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from that Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which that consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail that notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder 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 or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with Section 316(c) of the TIA) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at that record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to that amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not those Persons continue to be Holders after that record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after that record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for that amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within that 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In that case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

45


Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of that amendment or supplement.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Company, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in that amendment or supplement.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign that amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying on, an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding on the Company in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE X

SUBORDINATION

Section 10.01 Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.

The Company and each Holder of a Security, by his or her acceptance thereof, agree that (a) the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to each and all the Securities and (b) any other payment in respect of the Securities, including on account of the acquisition or redemption of Securities by the Company, is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article X, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and that these subordination provisions are for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company.

Each Holder of a Security, by his or her acceptance thereof, acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of this Article X are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to all Persons who, in reliance on such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and those holders are made obligees hereunder, and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.

 

46


Section 10.02 No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no payment shall be made by or on behalf of the Company on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series or to acquire any of those Securities (including any repurchases of those Securities pursuant to the provisions thereof at the option of the Holder of those Securities) for cash or property (other than Junior securities of the Company), or on account of any redemption provisions of those Securities, in the event of default in payment of any principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise (a “Payment Default”), unless and until that Payment Default has been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to exist.

(b) Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no payment shall be made by or on behalf of the Company on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series or to acquire any of those Securities (including any repurchases of those Securities pursuant to the provisions thereof at the option of the Holder of those Securities) for cash or property (other than Junior securities of the Company), or on account of the redemption provisions of those Securities, in the event of any event of default (other than a Payment Default) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness permitting the holders of that Designated Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative on behalf of the holders thereof) to declare that Designated Senior Indebtedness due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, on written notice thereof to the Company and the Trustee by any holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative on behalf of the holders thereof) (the “Payment Blocking Notice”), unless and until that event of default shall have been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to exist; provided, that such payments may not be prevented pursuant to this Section 10.02(b) for more than 179 days after an applicable Payment Blocking Notice has been received by the Trustee unless the Designated Senior Indebtedness in respect of which that event of default exists has been declared due and payable in its entirety, in which case no such payment may be made until that acceleration has been rescinded or annulled or that Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of any Payment Blocking Notice (whether or not that event of default is on the same issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness) may be made the basis for the giving of a second Payment Blocking Notice, and only one such Payment Blocking Notice may be given in any period of 365 consecutive days.

(c) In furtherance of the provisions of Section 10.01, in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company (other than Junior securities of the Company) shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities of any series or any Paying Agent with respect thereto at a time when that payment or distribution was prohibited by the provisions of this Section 10.02, then, unless that payment or distribution is no longer prohibited by this Section 10.02, that payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee or such Holders or Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of Senior

 

47


Indebtedness of the Company, and shall be paid or delivered by the Trustee or such Holders or Paying Agent, as the case may be, to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company remaining unpaid or unprovided for or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing that Senior Indebtedness of the Company may have been issued, ratably, according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of that Senior Indebtedness of the Company held or represented by each, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company in full after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to or for the holders of that Senior Indebtedness.

Section 10.03 Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Indebtedness on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization.

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company or upon any dissolution, winding up, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or upon assignment for the benefit of creditors:

(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be entitled to receive payments in full before the Holders of Securities of any series are entitled to receive any payment (other than in the form of Junior securities of the Company) on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to those Securities;

(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Junior securities of the Company), to which the Holders of Securities of any series or the Trustee on behalf of those Holders would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article X, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such a payment or distribution directly to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness or their representative, ratably according to the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all that Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness; and

(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Junior securities of the Company), shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of any series or any Paying Agent with respect thereto (or, if the Company or any Affiliate of the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, money for any such payment or distribution shall be segregated or held in trust) on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, that payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee or such Holder or Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of that Senior Indebtedness, or their respective representatives, ratably according to the respective amounts of that Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment as provided herein of all that Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions and all provisions therefor to or for the holders of that Senior Indebtedness, but only to the extent that as to any holder of that Senior Indebtedness, as promptly as practical following

 

48


notice from the Trustee to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness that such prohibited payment has been received by the Trustee, Holder(s) or Paying Agent (or has been segregated as provided above), that holder (or a representative therefor) notifies the Trustee of the amounts then due and owing on that Senior Indebtedness, if any, held by that holder, and only the amounts specified in those notices to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness.

Section 10.04 Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided herein, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated (to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article X) to the rights of the holders of that Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Company applicable to that Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Securities shall be paid in full. For the purpose of that subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of that Senior Indebtedness by the Company, or by or on behalf of the Holders of the Securities by virtue of this Article X, which otherwise would have been made to those Holders shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and those Holders, be deemed to be payment by the Company or on account of that Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of this Article X are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of that Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

If any payment or distribution to which the Holders of the Securities would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article X shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article X, to the payment of amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness of the Company, then those Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of that Senior Indebtedness any payments or distributions received by those holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company in excess of the amount sufficient to pay all amounts payable under or in respect of that Senior Indebtedness in full.

Section 10.05 Obligations of the Company Unconditional.

Nothing contained in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities of any series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to those Holders the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of those Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law on default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article X, of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received on the exercise of any such remedy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities, on any distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article X, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely on any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such

 

49


dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to those Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in that distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article X so long as that court has been apprised of the provisions of, or the order, decree or certificate makes reference to, the provisions of this Article X.

Section 10.06 Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice.

The Trustee shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall have received, no later than two Business Days prior to that payment, written notice thereof from the Company or from one or more holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or from any representative therefor and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to assume that no such fact exists.

Section 10.07 Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article VIII shall be for the sole benefit of Holders of the Securities of the series for the benefit of which those amounts were deposited, and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities of that series, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article X. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.03 and 10.04; provided that if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security), the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to those assets the written notice provided for in Section 10.06, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive those assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after that date; and provided further that nothing contained in this Article X shall prevent the Company from making, or the Trustee from receiving or applying, any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities if the first publication of notice of that redemption (whether by mail or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture) has been made, and the Trustee has received that payment from the Company, prior to the occurrence of any of the contingencies specified in Section 10.02 or 10.03.

Section 10.08 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the subordination provisions contained in this Article X shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or

 

50


failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may extend, renew, modify or amend the terms of the Senior Indebtedness or any security therefor and release, sell or exchange that security and otherwise deal freely with the Company, all without affecting the liabilities and obligations of the parties to this Indenture or the Holders of the Securities.

Section 10.09 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities.

Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provisions contained in this Article X and to protect the rights of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture, and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for that purpose, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors of the Company), the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of his Securities in the form required in said proceedings and cause said claim to be approved. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in that proceeding prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative is hereby authorized to have the right to file and is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of said Securities. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of Securities any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of the Securities in any such proceeding.

Section 10.10 Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all of the rights set forth in this Article X in respect of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Section 10.11 Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default.

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article X shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 or in any way prevent the Holders of the Securities from exercising any right hereunder other than the right to receive payment on the Securities.

Section 10.12 No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and shall not be liable to any of those holders (other than for its

 

51


willful misconduct or gross negligence) if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the Holders of the Securities or the Company or any other Person, cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of this Article X or otherwise. Nothing in this Section 10.12 shall affect the obligation of any other such Person to hold that payment for the benefit of, and to pay that payment over to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative.

Section 10.13 Article Applicable to Paying Agent.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article X shall in that case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including that Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if that Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section 10.13 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or that Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XI

GUARANTEES

Any series of Securities may be guaranteed by one or more of the guarantors. The terms and the form of any such Guarantee will be established in the manner contemplated by Section 2.01 for that particular series of Securities.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company:

Continental Resources, Inc.

302 N. Independence, Suite 1550

Enid, Oklahoma 77380

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

 

52


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

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee or the Company by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of that notice.

Section 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

53


(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of that counsel, all those conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making that certificate or opinion has read that covenant or condition;

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

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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of that Person, that condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.07 Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 12.08 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, any guarantor or the Trustee (other than a stockholder, partner or other owner which itself is the Company or a guarantor of the Securities), as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or for any obligations of the Company, any guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of those obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all that liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of Securities.

 

54


Section 12.09 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREUNDER TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 12.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 12.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.13 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

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

 

55


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

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
 
as Trustee
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

56

EX-5.1 4 dex51.htm OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

LOGO

  

717 Texas Avenue, 16th floor

Houston, TX 77002

Tel: +1.713.546.5400 Fax: +1.713.546.5401

www.lw.com

 

FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES

 

   Abu Dhabi    Moscow
   Barcelona    Munich
   Beijing    New Jersey
   Brussels    New York
   Chicago    Orange County
   Doha    Paris

July 16, 2010

   Dubai    Riyadh
   Frankfurt    Rome
   Hamburg    San Diego
   Hong Kong    San Francisco
   Houston    Shanghai
   London    Silicon Valley
   Los Angeles    Singapore
Continental Resources, Inc.    Madrid    Tokyo

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

   Milan    Washington, D.C.

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

     

Re:        Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), and Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (the “Guarantor”), in connection with the Company’s filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). You have provided us with a draft of the Registration Statement in the form in which it will be filed, which includes a base prospectus (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

The Registration Statement registers the offering and sale of (i) one or more series of the Company’s debt securities (collectively, “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to (a) a senior indenture to be entered into between the Company, the Guarantor, if a party thereto, and a trustee the Company will name in a prospectus supplement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement, and one or more supplemental indentures thereto (collectively, the “Senior Indenture”) or (b) a subordinated indenture to be entered into among the Company, the Guarantor, if a party thereto, and a trustee the Company will name in a Prospectus Supplement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement, and one or more supplemental indentures thereto (collectively, the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”); (ii) if applicable, guarantees of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) by the Guarantor; (iii) shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”); and (iv) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The Debt Securities, Guarantees, Common Stock and Preferred Stock are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Securities.


Continental Resources, Inc.

July 16, 2010

Page 2

 

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company, the Guarantor, and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other or as to any matters of municipal laws or the laws of any local agencies within any state. Various issues concerning the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and the internal laws of the State of Oklahoma are addressed in the opinion of Donald P. Fischbach, separately provided to you. We express no opinion with respect to those matters herein, and to the extent elements of those opinions are necessary to the conclusions expressed herein, we have, with your consent, assumed such matters.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, when an Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantor, and duly executed and delivered, and when the specific terms of a particular Debt Security and, if applicable, Guarantee, have been duly established in accordance with such Indenture and authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantor, and such Debt Security and, if applicable, Guarantee have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement(s) and by such corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, (i) such Debt Security will be a legally valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; and (ii) if applicable, such Guarantee will be a legally valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

Our opinions are subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; and (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy. We express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration,


Continental Resources, Inc.

July 16, 2010

Page 3

 

remedies or judicial relief, (c) waivers of rights or defenses, (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) any provision permitting, upon acceleration of any Debt Security, collection of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon, (f) the creation, validity, attachment, perfection, or priority of any lien or security interest, (g) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights, (h) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (i) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies, (j) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations, (k) grants of setoff rights, (l) proxies, powers and trusts, (m) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property, (n) provisions purporting to make a guarantor primarily liable rather than as a surety, (o) provisions purporting to waive modifications of any guaranteed obligation to the extent such modification constitutes a novation, (p) any provision to the extent it requires that a claim with respect to a security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment in respect of such a claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange at a particular date, to the extent applicable law otherwise provides, and (q) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.

With your consent, we have assumed (i) that each of the Debt Securities and, if applicable, the Guarantees, and the Indentures and supplemental indentures governing such securities (collectively, the “Documents”) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, (ii) that each of the Documents will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (iii) that each of the Documents will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantor, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (iv) that the status of each of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties will not be affected by any (a) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (b) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (c) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or to make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EX-5.2 5 dex52.htm OPINION OF DONALD P. FISCHBACH Opinion of Donald P. Fischbach

Exhibit 5.2

July 16, 2010

Continental Resources, Inc.

302 N. Independence, Suite 1500

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

Re:        Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have acted as General Counsel for Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), and Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (the “Guarantor”), in connection with the Company’s filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). I have reviewed a draft of the Registration Statement in the form in which it will be filed, which includes a base prospectus (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

The Registration Statement registers the offering and sale of (i) one or more series of the Company’s debt securities (collectively, “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to (a) a senior indenture to be entered into between the Company, the Guarantor, if a party thereto, and a trustee the Company will name in a Prospectus Supplement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement, and one or more supplemental indentures thereto or (b) a subordinated indenture to be entered into among the Company, the Guarantor, if a party thereto, and a trustee the Company will name in a Prospectus Supplement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement, and one or more supplemental indentures thereto; (ii) if applicable, guarantees of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) by the Guarantor; (iii) shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”); and (iv) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The Debt Securities, Guarantees, Common Stock and Preferred Stock are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Securities.

As such counsel, I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of (i) the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company and (ii) such other certificates, statutes


Continental Resources, Inc.

July 16, 2010

Page 2

 

and other instruments and documents and other matters of fact and questions of law as I have considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed. With your consent, I have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company, the Guarantor, and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. I am opining herein as to the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and the internal laws of the State of Oklahoma, and I express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal laws or the laws of any local agencies within any state.

In connection with this opinion, I have assumed that the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective and the Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws in the manner described in the Registration Statement.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, I am of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:

 

  (1) When an issuance of Common Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement and by such corporate action, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassesable.

 

  (2) When a series of Preferred Stock has been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement and by such corporate action, such shares of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act but is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied on for any other purpose. I consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to my name in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, I do not thereby admit that I am in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Donald P. Fischbach

EX-12.1 6 dex121.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12.1

Continental Resources, Inc.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

     Year Ended December 31,    Three Months
Ended,
 
     2005    2006    2007    2008    2009    March 31, 2010  

Earnings

                 

Income before income taxes

   195,446,000    252,956,000    296,777,000    518,530,000    110,008,000    116,875,000   

Plus: Fixed charges

   14,220,000    11,310,000    12,939,000    12,188,000    23,232,000    8,443,000   

Less: Capitalized interest

   —      —      —      —      —      (83,000
                               

Earnings, as defined

   209,666,000    264,266,000    309,716,000    530,718,000    133,240,000    125,235,000   
                               

Fixed charges

                 

Interest expense

   14,220,000    11,310,000    12,939,000    12,188,000    23,232,000    8,360,000   

Capitalized interest

   —      —      —      —      —      83,000   
                               

Fixed charges, as defined

   14,220,000    11,310,000    12,939,000    12,188,000    23,232,000    8,443,000   
                               

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   14.74x    23.37x    23.94x    43.54x    5.74x    14.83x   
                               
EX-23.1 7 dex231.htm CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated February 26, 2010 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 of Continental Resources, Inc., which are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of the aforementioned reports, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 16, 2010
EX-23.2 8 dex232.htm CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

The undersigned hereby consents to the references of our firm in the form and context in which they appear in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Continental Resources, Inc. We hereby further consent to the use in and incorporation by reference in such Registration Statement of information appearing in Continental Resources, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K relating to our report setting forth the estimates of Continental Resources, Inc.’ s oil and gas reserves and related revenues as of December 31, 2009.

We further consent to the reference to this firm under heading “EXPERTS”.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

Denver, Colorado

July 16, 2010

GRAPHIC 9 g68457g46i56.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g68457g46i56.jpg M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`@$`8`!@``#_[0QZ4&AO=&]S:&]P(#,N,``X0DE-`^T` M`````!``8`````$``0!@`````0`!.$))300-```````$````'CA"24T$&0`` M````!````!XX0DE-`_,```````D```````````$`.$))300*```````!```X M0DE-)Q````````H``0`````````".$))30/U``````!(`"]F9@`!`&QF9@`& M```````!`"]F9@`!`*&9F@`&```````!`#(````!`%H````&```````!`#4` M```!`"T````&```````!.$))30/X``````!P``#_____________________ M________`^@`````_____________________________P/H`````/______ M______________________\#Z`````#_____________________________ M`^@``#A"24T$"```````$`````$```)````"0``````X0DE-!!X```````0` M````.$))300:``````!M````!@``````````````;@```-@````&`&<`-``V M`&D`-0`V`````0`````````````````````````!``````````````#8```` M;@`````````````````````````````````````````````X0DE-!!$````` M``$!`#A"24T$%```````!`````(X0DE-!`P`````"=X````!````<````#D` M``%0``!*T```"<(`&``!_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`@$`2`!(``#_[@`.061O8F4` M9(`````!_]L`A``,"`@("0@,"0D,$0L*"Q$5#PP,#Q48$Q,5$Q,8$0P,#`P, M#!$,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,`0T+"PT.#1`.#A`4#@X. M%!0.#@X.%!$,#`P,#!$1#`P,#`P,$0P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P, M#`P,#`S_P``1"``Y`'`#`2(``A$!`Q$!_]T`!``'_\0!/P```04!`0$!`0$` M`````````P`!`@0%!@<("0H+`0`!!0$!`0$!`0`````````!``(#!`4&!P@) M"@L0``$$`0,"!`(%!P8(!0,,,P$``A$#!"$2,05!46$3(G&!,@84D:&Q0B,D M%5+!8C,T)E\K.$P]-U MX_-&)Y2DA;25Q-3D]*6UQ=7E]59F=H:6IK;&UN;V-T=79W>'EZ>WQ]?G]Q$` M`@(!`@0$`P0%!@<'!@4U`0`"$0,A,1($05%A<2(3!3*!D12AL4(CP5+1\#,D M8N%R@I)#4Q5C+RLX3#TW7C\T:4 MI(6TE<34Y/2EM<75Y?569G:&EJ:VQM;F]B7I[?'_]H`#`,!``(1 M`Q$`/P#U5))))2DDDDE*22224ARLAF-CON>8#1IYN)VL9_;>[8LSZG]9;UOZ MMX'4-VZU]09?//JU_HKY_K6,W_U%F_7+J+JJG^I_P:YFCZK.Q-F7BM]/(QR+:+(U;96?5J?_ M`)[%TF1]7NI=,ZM:[)K=;@TLKKQL?I/\`2?SRZ2BO M%S<1M&$PVVOT=:!^C8/WGO\`WOW:FI*=_"O=D8=&0X!KKJV/IT])LRF#J&3/I8H.ZPAK77%SV MLW>DSTZWNWV[$E/_T>B^K=-'UPLR^O\`5V#,PADOIZ3AVC=CLIJFO[5]F=NJ MMRLASW^I; MAUQ:\WMP'/\`3'4S39]D+MPJ_I6W;Z3K';697]$?_IT7J'UN^K_3NHLZ9EY8 M9EOK-OI@$PP-<]NK1[GV;/T-%>^^W_!U+.LZAT7+_P`7#\HNK;TYW3366R`& M.%7HMQQ^;Z]=_P"@K9_I_P";5#IU5^+U7ZE869[-C66_:<%HLOQ[*+J[MA&YME>-;4R^W=_P`'7ZGT M/]+4JW0OKE@=8QV7BC)QVVOM#7/Q[O2#*G6,%MV;Z(PJ][*M]C?7_0V?H-ZJ M?_G3_P#:#_[N*'^+++QO^9?3:W6L%KK,BL5EPW>IZV1?Z6V=WJ^C^EV?Z/\` M2)*9],^M'U>P>C=0ZT_J>1E]/?G6[;\@/=#WACFX>#7M]3[+7_@?9_I?\&KI M^O'U<;9C,=D/#TX=?66[6MM-HWBO) M]<-?8^SZ-S_>UG\W=_+24[V!];.B=0ZB.F46V,RWU>O57?3;0;*^[Z/M5=/J M?Z_Z.Q5>E?77`ZGDY5->-EM;CY9PV/\`LN0\.RQMZVS8V[[-;EMIL=C5W:?J]V:UGV9MNYVQ_Z3]" M_P#G_25#ZQ?^+OZH_P#M2_\`;=BYWZP]9KZI_B_LR,*K#Z7T;)O97BXA,7/V MY0-GZ*OT,;%MW5_:K*J_MOZ'U;/56_UVZF[Z\_5)U-C;&M=U-CBPAP#F4-98 MP[?SZWMV/:DI_]+TGJ/2.E]4K;7U+$IRVLG9ZS&O+2?I&MSANK^C^8A=/Z!T M3I3WW]/P:<>Y[2'W,8/4S)KLVMR; M:FNL)J.QKV7.9N]CJ_9LL5KIO\R__C#_``5?H_\`2.H?^&')*8GI/1'=7.0_ MIV.,W2]N8ZMGJN>/;[+MOJ_HV[?SU"[I?0L/)MNIZ9C_`&C(KL?DVLKK8]U9 M@9&ZR&N?ZN_WL_PG^%1:_P#Q0W?^%F_]4@_63Z.)_P`:DI=_U<^JU6,YXZ1A M^B[:YU8QZ@UQ$BMSJ]@9N;ZK_IHC.A_5_*Q*\=_3<9V+C/M%..^FMU;';W-M M=75M-;-[VJYG_P!!R?\`BG_]24+HW_)>-_4"2FF.C?5[J=3:+^F8]E73WFFA MKZV.#`T_S=>GL9^]4IV]$Z#G7>CD=*Q;Z\1C<=CK*JW!C0`]E%#',=Z=3&6_ MF;%:POY^_P"#?RO58?\`BC=_X6_[\$E*SND=$OSJ'Y/3:,G(>(;>^IKW,;5& MR+"Q[Z]KG^Q2RNE]&Q\D]7_9V._.#@3E>FSU1^9ZINV^I[&?3?\`Z-+JG_*' M3?\`C7?D"7UA_P"37?\`&5_]4$E,1]5OJR6W`=+Q(ROYXBEGODML]SMOT?48 MRS^NG?\`5?ZM/+2_I6&XL`:PFBN6M;]%M?L_1[?Y"U$DE/\`_]DX0DE-!"$` M`````%4````!`0````\`00!D`&\`8@!E`"``4`!H`&\`=`!O`',`:`!O`'`` M```3`$$`9`!O`&(`90`@`%``:`!O`'0`;P!S`&@`;P!P`"``-@`N`#`````! M`#A"24T$!@``````!P`(``$``0$`_^X`#D%D;V)E`&1``````?_;`(0``0$! M`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0("`@(" M`@("`@("`P,#`P,#`P,#`P$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`@(!`@(#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,# M`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#_\``$0@`;@#8 M`P$1``(1`0,1`?_=``0`&__$`'L``0`"`@,!`0`````````````)"@<(!08+ M`P0!`0`````````````````````0```&`@("`0,"`P4$"P````(#!`4&!P$( M``D1$A,4%0HA,4$B,E%A(Q88<5,D%X%28J*3);8X>(@:$0$````````````` M````````_]H`#`,!``(1`Q$`/P"_QP'`1?RI#1#QC M`09R&[?`R9'7%NP2+6-"'LCQC#A&9>S(WQ MH..*]A"2K`I%H0GD#\&$'A&6/&!A%C`9-X#@.`X#@.`X#@.`X#@.!__1O\P_`>;]^2/.6E;M#1=1QY*@;6* MJZ'2*TC$T@^!KC(I=*'="BCB%&$7HB2M<7A;7@@L.,!`E&4'&?`<8"%BW\.O MLT32RMYGUBVM(S3)571;O<.L"EV78'EXK-Z4EJK.J]IP=@'_`!$`F*@Y[2$A M&:>0E(.4J3BDZ9.48>H4'F`*(((*!DPTXXTS(2RBBBPY$(0LXP'&/.>!7:L M:98N"?V9LLI-&:GLMP#45-`-R;X;J"JMW4GJ%Z8L6"_@Q85B'F.IOL#Y,>GQ M9&8667@`>;)W$6HLYK&]6D`$0E*1T4X]?WS@/;:I*WX1?]1UW=-_PBS(F MT2V.NC6O3.:(Y$ZI0'#(+7HQF)%1B!3\B`X#@.`X#@.` MX#@.`X'_T[_'`A?R`*4>3SA9\BR#(A9\^>!Y]U@ZM--W[#7M M<9R52M0VG=-I6*VD&A.+"0VS6M'D)V?5"X$C1JC<8]\^3""3\F%YSY]3`!%^^.!=X_&MV!>S M*EDP2*TJ_7]LCKS`C1F`,1'P@[(HHO;DH19P>CRQ*VUOR,OP,LPU:8=@6 M!&"#@+/'`T#9ESDMVV/K+7*X0"27DU-;,C0&A%D\E600:5`$"@OV$6`*(X'W M<0?[/'G@;L]3]7*JWW#DKFE3C2II!'GIF6XP'Q@Y.)(\/GJ(7[ MB`0M;2//_:$'/`L\!^GMG.`_OGQ_=_;P)?I/4 M\*8ZY/D;DM;D:1.E^0\T\PL`2L>H?8H M7`D^X#@.`X#@.`X#@.`X#@?_UK]J]>A:T*QSR-W4Y_PA?IY]<"#&,H_(^ZW MZG=D33LNCV^U',<\F@;E.RFE>QD#)7GDA,$:F1)FV"21U4GEX+Q[8`FR$.!8 MSG.,8%ZA*9J3N7K9O75`KQU4LHNV*JQ)W>'`F">)SF((U$B84[:I>$*-%/XS M%'9<4@`[$@&I)3F)?G^0G!F323@`#9[@.`X#@.`X#@?,T9191AAXBP$@+&,X M9H@A*`4$.1&",$/.`!+"#&5/N2*#*)ND,7R" M&)""UM9OJU<3A2EED//93DR^$NJI1@DPT:02UL4IPY`!&7\F3.!A*-Z)[H5' M*E""#1RMY9$2#$^6IX7V'EK5!!DDGYPK"364M29@I1D>`B"G!D1>,>0^W[AO M;$-/+.G*IK??(G25O1;6=@P_P!\EJ,(VTD_ M(?&"E8,!QG(2&M#0UL+8@965O2-32UI243(%04K)7MA6PFIZ. M%HAMCJH.?CI`J9'W\<;MVWB[7KBWO M<-I$]91&&T&W4>T1*KZT@YD9;HE)K`>;@)=,JG9_>I/-GA9]'7&23@JW$T@L MP'L643D6<9#_U^Y]L>T=Y]T';G#NBS66SGFM=6*[EBQOV[F\//$2KF3M`&\< MCN,#Z=@XO#I'JH)2"CS4R*`@0K9KD1BT)Y9:$Q,%SG5C4O7G2NG(O0^L]71> MJZXBR%*F*;8^W)B'%_<$Z4E(ID\R>\%X=)?+W;!&!K71>:>L4F?J,?C&,8#N M5ZT75&RM2SNCKNA#!8=8V/'G*-2F,2)M1N2)2BFP9N%"% M:3@"E"K++/)&`TL(L!&?T(ZHS72OJUU\U_LR+NT1LJ+R&^ETW:WUN,:G] M;!6>N87)6A,,-^,"^$C:AIQA%D!R7XC`YS@>,Y"8K@.`X#@.!T2T+/KZE:ZF MMMVQ+V.`UK7,;=9?-YG)%@$#)'(XR)#%KDYKU(L9S@L@@K/J``1FFCR$!81# M$$.0Z9K7?T&VIH.I-CZR(?T]=W7!6*Q82"4($K5(!QB2I`KV90ZMB-P="$"I M6A,`;DGYQC+P/`1^H\"#@,5=@.K;ONQICL5JFPV@]4P\7C7+C"D%DL2J]42]S7S0UK5L;02=,94ZR@4;B;(N=7I8VQ>.Y=/IT^#%&1'CP8H^, MCYOIR@DBX#@.`X#@.`X#@:F[H[JT+H32*^^-@Y$J:HP"01Z&QF/,1*%QF]AS MN6.!;;&X-`6%>Y-)+Y)70X0S?0:@A.E1ISU:DXE*G..`&V7`9@D&"PAV*IA,$`<8"`)*:>;D?"``,8P$.`8,SC]/X<#_]#7W\-X1ES= MDN^.Q\V'ATL1SHYY=53BJ]E1^7:Z+O89;+W("@T7MA6J7Q@`1&^OR"`U34E5.$9B:=UA"584B<'!R(09 M+_K""VV]BM]_QB.P2HX%:>Q%T;G=5>PQQP8J7=TCW$0J+4HE3 M6T>F4?J9J?X[?TUQ92TYH*?TUZ('I>4GA)JMP;PDH6(ED4')SS1J%BLO(2,! MR^D6G_;-N/UHZ1-2GL69=":.4ZJTQ%AQ=?7L>UM];HW$U@W,G M5>QYP46E+)R[,TAC5KV%FH757(8A/I9/TT5L>KI(Y(G@3BS.`C%Z,"<(S0E* M5"(`2T?F!5++9%ULJ[>+V!LZ(PBN)S7#*HU[C6&-!6]M2B83IK0IY'9*W"+$ MG?!PUI*-/:D'U7VXA:7A3DD1V`F`#%G73T77C:N@^F=IH.Z/M>I9NL_62E+' M:ZEJ;9*5QNLZZ:IW7S#*FN(P9@2/1"9GC+*@=BR4B<``A**#@.,?IP,T=^;? MVBZ0]5D<<=0]Q7#%1ZYUS7<+V6N"=.,D=]Y;<&_RYDK4B8H+>48R@X#C\)8DYX;I=+"&_G_H1U*!34\B;+L%*J>ESQ$[$NMED]E1 MA!))5<U4@ES*W2:.R*3&@0.1XR0?<2PY5_$(SY"0C*&%;#JRG?2Z[0 MIT8(0WGRB:JJKCU/VO\`Y6@K^U,#:H5(D!+0HRXC3EI?G+%D`^!,3^.3OC:_ M8+U?UQ:]\/ADKN&MYS.:,GTY4EIDZR]Q2=REI.;W=B4Q9@`O3M"-`X@&J3&JP&FG!%[%MD+A_'V[N MZXT6GVU<_O#K>V\:X:[Q1LV`LQ3,WO6LNT)1(89&7<^2R->+,0*A-B,0P.RG M'T;2YQ1=A:J+$N3X/(#I/Y,5A=K-+;9Z=L3]M+%'O5K8^_G4BD];Z@32FF63 M`:ML6K362-[&R$M2^O5D*)&BGC3]2J,5*6X^1I&)^9WE5'GC:>7GM#ZF:W%.N/9G0 M@Q[.+.;G0HC)!X!`$$10Q8SC./TX'[-Q;2[(-V.PU1UPZX-VSFC.FU?10U\V M#[$(74SBE>;)DZV%M$M9ZOH2T9@E:8S%6Y,H>R$*QY9#'%[&YEFA"$A$2+*P M*VW;OK+MG^/#<&J>Y^LG8QMI>#%9ME.K1/(3?EB/+\KDSG#<,DM7L4[5)G3$ MC:VKB71N0.:?!@4[BB2KB`G`^,T) M*L@M05@T'G/H9@!F/;'\,\"E#^(S_P"Y'O._^2-/_P#KS<3@?__1U7Z$RQ=6 M/Y&>RFBUIG`BS79*2Z-5:25Q^X:#D"4Y4$'@-@U]&`EM(#!!^J M-?2"0X$>,L&0]*#@.!10_-3D3E%G;J;?EA+BKK]BLW9"12Q$G+^1`K8_(VEN?F)X0&A M4('5F=T9+@V.2(\'\IR1ZM MW;\>YK]@`-0_P`//GQ_'@;O_E\+B$G3C*B#C,`,<]AZ M+0I0Y_1LFL,'/934AN0CP4H+7MI( M@"\9Q@>,9\9X&%_Q7=.4^W'79967W=C5 M6]'2F4S.$Q(F\W7,M:W$I'Z)Y.W(,`;C"P$B%@P7`M$5+TC]4],R8$XC6DU0 M2J>!<$KR*>74GD&P\U-?T0BS4\B%)[X?;&=RY`4I)"<%86:`\!P<#"((@AS@ M*^WY;RLD.PG1P@%\?SJMHK.5E^0^3/A13?4TD_T%Y_0OW<"_;'\<^O\`9P+K M7`I7U[\/_P"U&]/C]/?&J;1]1Z8Q@63O]+5.Y#\N<8\Y'\'I^N?U]?'\/'`Z MQ^46:)?V==!+&?C!J/&PIYOPB\9P(3ML%JZD4XSC/Z>#"F\&/U_LX%W?@0O; M)=W&OU4[/CT6UPJ>[-[]UTI@RI'1NMK(R&--9X(P@$M5W!;(Y7\!;6S#D M2!B(46`DLLDL/H6 M4`!98<>0Y#YQG'@KSY_;.,\#__2FE[U.A$/90[P;:W5NP$%#;\TT0PDQ*<+W)Y8 M(K8C3$G<3_%$$D?8VB<7^'SB$.XQ*&"1HDYQQ7GZ546,D*10WAP&MG<+V!ZW MQ!HJ'MHZL=WL2IHUH%V<=:N]UD`HY.GKVA=B=4J3==C(W*J_:O9+ M%(8_.<92R) MPQ&V25A?\N[W.?OQB'"A*%N+2I4^#,C49,]"Q!(STG7IN?6GOA):EZ_K$ADC?7F1T@HC9ME/T+OMAL. M0'UPB5/*DI?&E['#41;>N7#0#6'&C]B2R0`-,"7WNDI>XNXGIUM!IH37?82L M[E@=JQ"R8G0NQ$!2U7:TR4UN(()(VL[**0/C4X8<(A,UYC2:0N.)W\[6!0%=1&D8[=]Q2>3:GTT*'0%G2Q*'.\Y M/MNH#3P*XI%VM*6Y$,*MX7.GTV3$R8HP\!.`VN_(!E>YMV==$FT"J_2B][[V M9OR`4$OM:RM?8$X.>J\#=HY8$/G]CMT9GTOQ/6MV,,UM:M5C)<.B:)4.P2]@M%.LN,\N.L M]4O1-A-WW65F,4^2JE*!R*:@ID[:XFX.,)3!--"&_JL6]B.H';3OEOKL/U5; MZ'U#NJJN9S(8JSJMKF4ZKM7/+Q:K1A:9P:'*2Q9*_-;#'DY[:M&D/RJ^7XS2 MB3,>X>!:G[CB[>]7 M(Z`@?J5:WZ%24G+$(L0@A"/^,ZT;#:G:IR#KSW(Z^-RH"MM M:]+-DR6QWZF?EH84!GU8Q-K7M5B2L4A3/$45&*X>O2#^1M,2&A6I`@/^0PP! M01LZ_5%VK_C(;H7TVU+IK:V^?7I?,@*5(SJ>8Y/,70<;8W1X_P"6LC7O4,B< MKUWL#?(BFJ30E]ZV*$)D, M><[-O_=55]UNM]B"5P2+'Z'45K3_`)<95226OJ$K*,S",!0`#/"X12>W2NX-?9Y?3QJOMY2:NOL2@* M^CKBJ-"SWS*#8I%&R4GXKN#Q:62Y+."7_+EEN:!I%W_F#HG.3AP'(/.0IN5. M^[Q,WY$]O=LDGZJ^Q!-K194555PV1]%2"4^VV1A:Z'@-21^3+8>ME2%G,&Y. MU?EK5J(AV&8E3KS,E"4'$X(-#:;\F_4/<_;.(]<'85I-1EPS&8:XK7.7/],% MU^[*[^@:N8.56V)73TX5`UX<),O<8G)(6>AD+:BPJ6MZ@T@7QB(`I.("2;2; ML][8]T@P)H4]-\HU0(RXQDNW;MVLMB2UG`&5E)5I#)'UI* M4_8T@`@;4JHTG"YUR2')IP0`-*#L3Z<_R"=V]F6WKTV2W-I/I:MM=\41VI8A*EVRFU1S_,F1N^P6):5?U/#UL>K>&$% M,(D*=&%6YKT[BN"6ORG$:05D)ZZG[0NU%X@;-L-?'3];U7U(?!EL=9J+K1P0%_CNM MG83U96_N*^[5]8&][W#-LP5P^B>Z>IM!+G"+S2NWVS70O#LP/LPCJ\<==$%I MK\?.E/6*RSTY(,IS`F"-*#__T[_'`1&0S>2#5%L48;%#LZ#0H MSW!9A(FQC(\)4*8(U"H\6CXY(6 M61,3O&9%'GU.A;W436],3XD1.*%0:T.Z183G(,EGI%1)Q0AEF!%D.]<#$4$N MB,V,].K1&F2=#2M#I+&0Z3N,,>FV'JG6$R5=$9"B;I*K(`W+CTK^V*2`X+%G MY,D#R'S@.>!EW@8KD5OQB.3ENKTQLF3T_JDC`XN1D7AS](VN+-LK>7&/QEQE M+DU(U!#2D>7=H6%EBS[Y**2''GX*3EB-P&5.!TJ>V#&*V9"GR4*E192UR1L; M,V-;:O>W^1R!R^7[;'XXPM*=6Z/3RNP08(!)!0LA*+,-,R`DLPP`<-`[9C$_ M<'AB1I))&Y6P)T2YXATVCSC%Y*E:W,:@IM>2$3@7@AV8UQR0TL"U$:I38/*& M2,83@#+"&3N!C-UMN$LT=FTI7KE8&>OI`*,28X#>J--2NX!,X!$IR``R:K+] MGY-_.7C(?YL_]7/`R9P.A6%8K%6C2W.SZDD#B%W?$4<:VV+L+C)7IP=EZ=8K M(3)&AJ)/6G_\,WG#%D(<^H09X',Q"6L,[C;5+(RK-6,KR084E1HD20D:A4K5J3A`)3IDQ!8AF#'G`0`#G.,K'-1'88]/3"Q(Y&Y$Z) M279K<61T*3KTQ:HDMQ9G=*B=6I<`LWRDDH\D>,@,`$6,XP')\!P'`_]2_ MQP'`<#7O:\`#=<+C+,.-3@'"7,(SR,'9/)"+)6,F$X3%'J,G`Q^H/0`Q>WCQ MC.?TX'6M5`%H&:U(^,UZ?'>/VX]I)!/9-AY2RJ>KE<!&]I[(XV98-@1E/`+D3R-)9&RJI98K M@YRX=+NI!E_S-1AMCS4LE!D6)>4Y:LI.8,AH(,RJ2JL_(+(AF&!)#P-`=AGE MSS?$*BD.AT@#;3PD@:B%6C7[PLR"*Q4F9.`Y:AO^/-JSZA161J-,MPTB6MSD MV*5RE06`:%2#*G@;_<#62^Q+D$VH611LE(_S>/RZ7*(_7JT_+8.>-BR`OB&6 MH8[(%A.(\RS5E8CAKV_[DI2)EA)"E*(TH)PCB0_#$WB0RW89ED$RB*^K%;?3 MT^:83!WYR87V9R-J73.KE%/P!)%P-5]L6LQZBM`YSG@=QUF6$K*/@8R6DMG M&G1N;>O*+5.RP+@]MCZZ()"_C'(SSY:0IDC\F4KSR'OT?$RA0,IQ`!8`\.`Y M789`SNM#W&VR%^+B[$OK2:)'>2'MZUV1L3>?'UY:IV1C\8#+W`CHFDCC;)NLO0.]?7+,'1Z8M?4[. M]UPYRU#$(@I_S58!!2^R$[+*6!D7,_U*DLX05Z=>5]*G/P,'QB&`82+\#4;; MV1,,:BL+62FOWBQ691+AHT357[XJ9;N;I8(\\+Y"F"!4!:4W MK2EX6PPXP`#R@'E"#.-.IYDEJJNT]AKCG&<%0Y@Q*%JG`_JSGC+<0)9E<(Q` ;U#,<"QY]5`\I4V3#@B%DHOSZX#)'` GRAPHIC 10 g68457g80e22.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g68457g80e22.jpg M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`0$`8`!@``#_VP!#``H'!P@'!@H("`@+"@H+#A@0#@T- M#AT5%A$8(Q\E)"(?(B$F*S7J#A(6&AXB)BI*3E)66EYB9FJ*CI*6FIZBI MJK*SM+6VM[BYNL+#Q,7&Q\C)RM+3U-76U]C9VN'BX^3EYN?HZ>KQ\O/T]?;W M^/GZ_]H`"`$!```_`.F^"DDDO@$-([.WVN3ECD]%KOR0H))P!U)KQ&TUO4(_ M&MOX\DG?^R=0U233PI)VB+:%1OIP3]5->MZ_X>L/$M@MEJ(E,*R"0>5*8SD` MCJ/J:\S\'>!M&U7Q#XDMKLWC1Z9?"*V`NG&U>>O//05O?$Z]CT_5_"-Q/<>1 M;QZF&EU+P'J%KIFN6TUT_E[$AE^8XD4G&/;->AZ8?^ M)3:$G_E@F2?]T5XU_;=^GC5/'QG?^R)-6.F[<_+Y.W:'^G4_45[=GC->*_#O M6KRW^(,M:O9_B=;ZG#*XT[1K^VLFP M2%9V)9_Y$'Z"O5_$6LKH.BS7[!"R%50.V`69@!TR>,YXYP#4?AW7!K-B))&@ M\[<^#"^Y)4#%1(F>=I(ZUQW@W41X:U;QII5W(QBTZ9KZ(.V?W3*3@?@%_.LC MX3W]_8^);BUU69F.MV*ZE%O)Q]YNF?8D_A72?"]I-2CUWQ%*[,-3U%_)R20( MDX7'YD?A7)^.]0U6^\6:AKNF3.+7PFUNI12<2.7R_P"70^PKU*]L=.\7^'HX MYS(]E>(DRF*0H2.&'(KS+0_`NBW_`,0O$6C3F\-G8)"8%%TX*EE!.3GFND^+ MH^Q?#L1P.Z+'<0(I#'.`<=:K1-+\3/$JM')(OA;2),94E1?SC^:#_/7B_P#& M%VA^'5T8F,9$L(!4XQ\XK9\5,R_#[565B&&FR$$'G_5FO/\`X3Z]>:-?0^&M M8E9H=3MTO=.E%_"0T[4X[Y;CSW?"6K,,'&.1]*[3Q MIXE"_#F?4=-29I-1B6&U780^9..G4$#)_"N5U'X>>+AX";16UJQEL[6'S4M4 ML\.67+8#]N\\#ZR^N^#].OI@PG,0CF#`@[U^4G\<9_&L+X?1NGBKQH M61E#:D"I(QG[W2F?$NV%UK?A"*2`31'5`)%9-RE?ESD>E,^*7A[2;;X?:C+8 MZ/9Q7"F+:\%LH+-6ET3X:R7$"N;F2T2"%44EM[J%&![9)_"N M2N/AUXN_X0$Z&=9L6M(X?,%F+/Y]X._&_KG=QFNJ\-^(I;[X7#5)@XN;6RD6 M4,I#;XU(SCWP#^-<--HUU8_![P[K=I"YOM(N1>!=IR5:0Y&/^^?P%.O]!NU^ M"$VHRQ,=0N[U=3E`4[LL^![_`'2#^->G75G+KVDZ9>VUP+:ZA*7<+/'O7<4( M(9&+C2=6FU*2\A)N$*O:P0E(8^Q)Z"O/OBM M8ZC:^,(WTV)S_P`)!9"PE*J2,B1>OX;15WXJ6-QX=BY^1 MHR%Z>GS5UF@1IX-^&5JTL9S96/G2(!R7(W$?7<<5QWACP;XPO/"4K+K5G:PZ MX'N+F">RWN?,'.6//(P?;-='\)[RZ'AJ;1+]66[T:Y>V;<",KDE2/;J/PJ+P MO'(OQ;\7.R,%:.WPQ'!^4=#3OC)&\G@-U1&<_:H>%&>]9\JS_#+Q6MU!%(WA MC6''G1HI(LIC_$`.BG^6?05I?&`&?X%KC6?A-H.H:>K1ZQI%LEQ;,HPYP`67Z\`CW`]:O_!F>>[T M36+RYA,,ESJ*?!FL0:AHEUI\]]K$&^&")+1C*)!D`J MP'3//7GT-=#X=\/7\GPVL-%U6>6"[$*[GX9HB'W*.>#@`#\*OR>']0>ZMKP: M],+N"-XFE^SQ_O$9E;!&,#&TU #?__9 ` end
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----