EX-4.4 5 f75895orex4-4.txt EXHIBIT 4.4 1 EXHIBIT 4.4 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of July 26, 2001, by and among NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC., a California corporation (the "Company") and MERRILL LYNCH & CO., MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (the "Initial Purchaser"). This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated July 20, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Company, as issuer of the Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2031 (the "LYONs") and the Initial Purchaser, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchaser of the aggregate principal amount of LYONs specified therein. In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement. The Company agrees with the Initial Purchaser, (i) for its benefit as Initial Purchaser and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including the Initial Purchaser) from time to time of the LYONs, and the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as defined herein) issued upon conversion of the LYONs, if any, (each of the foregoing a "Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows: Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: "Affiliate" With respect to any specified person, an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 144, of such person. "Applicable Conversion Price" The Applicable Conversion Price as of any date of determination means the Applicable Principal Amount per $1,000 principal amount of LYONs as of such date of determination divided by the Conversion Rate in effect as of such date of determination or, if no LYONs are then outstanding, the Conversion Rate that would be in effect were LYONs then outstanding. "Applicable Principal Amount" Applicable Principal Amount as of any date of determination, with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of LYONs means the issue price of such LYONs ($1,000) or, if no LYONs are then outstanding, such sum calculated as if such LYONs were then outstanding. "Business Day" Any day, other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. "Common Stock" The shares of common stock of the Company, no par value per share, and any other shares of common stock as may constitute "Common Stock" for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock. "Company" See the first paragraph of this Agreement. "Conversion Rate" Conversion Rate shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture. "Damages Accrual Period" See Section 2(e) hereof. "Damages Payment Date" Each January 26th and July 26th. "Deferral Notice" See Section 3(i) hereof. "Deferral Period" See Section 3(i) hereof. "Effectiveness Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof. 1 2 "Effectiveness Period" The period of two years from the Issue Date or such shorter period ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities. "Event" See Section 2(e) hereof. "Event Termination Date" See Section 2(e) hereof. "Event Date" See Section 2(e) hereof. "Exchange Act" The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder. "Filing Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof. "Holder" See the second paragraph of this Agreement. "Indenture" The Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and LaSalle Bank N.A., as trustee, pursuant to which the LYONs are being issued. "Initial Purchaser" See the first paragraph of this Agreement. "Initial Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof. "Issue Date" means July 26, 2001. "Liquidated Damages Amount" See Section 2(e) hereof. "LYONs" See the second paragraph of this Agreement. "Material Event" See Section 3(i) hereof. "Notice and Questionnaire" A written notice delivered to the Company containing substantially the information called for by the Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Annex A to the Offering Memorandum of the Company, dated July 20, 2001, relating to the LYONs. "Notice Holder" On any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date. "Prospectus" The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. "Purchase Agreement" See the first paragraph of this Agreement. "Record Holder" With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to any LYON or Underlying Common Stock as to which any Liquidated Damages Amount has accrued, the registered holder of such LYON or Underlying Common Stock, as the case may be, on the 15th day immediately preceding such Damages Payment Date. "Registrable Securities" The Securities, until such securities have been converted or exchanged and, at all times subsequent to any such conversion or exchange, any securities into or for which such securities have been converted or exchanged, and any security issued with respect thereto upon any stock dividend, split, merger or similar event until, in the case of any such security, the earliest of (i) its effective registration under the Securities Act and resale in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding period that 2 3 would be applicable thereto under Rule 144(k) were it not held by an Affiliate of the Company or (iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144. "Registration Expenses" See Section 5 hereof. "Registration Statement" Any registration statement of the Company that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all materials incorporated by reference in such registration statement. "Restated Principal Amount" Restated Principal Amount shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture. "Restricted Securities" As this term is defined in Rule 144. "Rule 144" Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. "Rule 144A" Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. "SEC" The Securities and Exchange Commission. "Securities" Collectively means the LYONs and the Underlying Common Stock. "Securities Act" The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. "Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof. "Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(b) hereof. "Tax Event" shall have the meanings assigned to such term in the Indenture. "TIA" The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trustee" LaSalle Bank N.A. (or any successor entity), the Trustee under the Indenture. "Underlying Common Stock" The Common Stock into which the LYONs are convertible or issued upon any such conversion or payment of the purchase price of a purchase of LYONs. SHELF REGISTRATION. The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed with the SEC no later than a date which is ninety (90) days after the Issue Date (the "Filing Deadline Date") a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a "Shelf Registration Statement") registering the resale from time to time by Holders thereof of all of the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration Statement"). The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution reasonably elected by the Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement; provided, that in no event will such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior agreement of the Company. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the date (the "Effectiveness Deadline Date") that is one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Issue Date, and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities 3 4 Act until the expiration of the Effectiveness Period subject to the rights of the Company under Section 3(i) to create a Deferral Period. At the time the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the date 10 Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law under ordinary circumstances, subject to compliance with blue sky laws. None of the Company's securityholders (other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right to include any of the Company's securities in the Shelf Registration Statement. If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective other than during a Deferral Period for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within thirty (30) days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected by the Company to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf Registration Statement covering all of the Securities that as of the date of such filing are Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing, unless during a Deferral Period, or, if filed during a Deferral Period, after the expiration of a Deferral Period, and to keep such Registration Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness Period. The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the Securities Act or, to the extent to which the Company does not reasonably object, as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or by the Trustee on behalf of the registered Holders. Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such Holder wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(d) and Section 3(i). Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at least five (5) Business Days prior to any intended distribution of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is delivered, (i) if required by applicable law, file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other document required by the SEC so that the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable; (ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); and (iii) notify such Holder as promptly as reasonably practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); provided, that if such Notice and Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in accordance with Section 3(i), provided, further, that if under applicable law the Company has more than one option as to the type or manner of making any such filing, as set forth in an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters delivered by the Holder to the Company, it will make the required filing or filings in the manner or of a type that is reasonably expected to result in the earliest availability of the Prospectus for effecting resales of Registrable Securities unless such option would be adverse to the Company or result in increased costs. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder that is not a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder in any Registration Statement or related Prospectus; provided, however, that any Holder that becomes a Notice Holder pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(d) of this Agreement (whether or not such Holder was a Notice Holder at the 4 5 time the Registration Statement was initially declared effective) shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement or related Prospectus subject to and in accordance with the requirements of this Section 2(d). The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable Securities will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date, (ii) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date, or (iii) the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days permitted in respect of such period pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof (each of the events of a type described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are individually referred to herein as an "Event," and the Filing Deadline Date in the case of clause (i), the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause (ii), and the date on which the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days permitted by Section 3(i) hereof in the case of clause (iii), being referred to herein as an "Event Date"). Events shall be deemed to continue until the "Event Termination Date," which shall be the following dates with respect to the respective types of Events: the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (ii), termination of the Deferral Period that caused the limit on the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a period set forth in Section 3(i) to be exceeded in the case of the commencement of an Event of the type described in clause (iii). Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and ending on (but excluding) the next date on which there are no Events that have occurred and are continuing (a "Damages Accrual Period"), the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount (the "Liquidated Damages Amount"), payable on the Damages Payment Dates to Record Holders of then outstanding LYONs that are Registrable Securities, of then outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock issued upon conversion of LYONs that are Registrable Securities, if any, as the case may be, accruing, for each portion of such Damages Accrual Period beginning on and including a Damages Payment Date (or, in respect of the first time that the Liquidation Damages Amount is to be paid to Holders on a Damages Payment Date as a result of the occurrence of any particular Event occurring since the most recent Damages Payment Event, from the Event Date) and ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of the end of the Damages Accrual Period or (B) the next Damages Payment Date, at a rate per annum equal to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) for the first 90-day period from the Event Date, and thereafter at a rate per annum equal to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the aggregate Applicable Principal Amount of such LYONs to the Record Holder of the then outstanding LYONs that are Registrable Securities or the aggregate Applicable Conversion Price of the shares of Underlying Common Stock to the Record Holder of the then outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in each case determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the next Damages Payment Date; provided, that any Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with respect to any LYON or portion thereof called for redemption on a redemption date or converted into Underlying Common Stock on a conversion date prior to the Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such LYON or portion thereof for redemption or conversion on the applicable redemption date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date (or promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages Amounts shall accrue as to any Registrable Security from and after the earlier of (x) the date such security is no longer a Registrable Security and (y) expiration of the Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages Amount with respect to any period shall not exceed the rate provided for in this paragraph notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events. Following the cure of all Events requiring the payment by the Company of Liquidated Damages Amounts to the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section, the accrual of Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease (without in any way limiting the effect of any subsequent Event requiring the payment of the Liquidated Damages Amount by the Company ) and accrued and unpaid Liquidated Damages will be paid in cash to the date of such cure to the Holder of record on the immediately succeeding Damages Payment Date. The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of Holders of LYONs or Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole remedy for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which liquidated damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages. 5 6 All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) that are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such Security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full (notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(j)). The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for in this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof. Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall: Before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, furnish to the Initial Purchaser copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC such comments as the Initial Purchaser reasonably shall propose. Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and use reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented. As promptly as reasonably practicable give notice to the Notice Holders and the Initial Purchaser (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus supplement, Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective, by release made to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News or other reasonable means of distribution. (ii) of any request, following the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of (but not the nature of or details concerning) a Material Event (provided, however, that no notice by the Company shall be required pursuant to this clause (v) in the event that the Company either promptly files a Prospectus supplement to update the Prospectus or a Form 8-K or other appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, which, in either case, contains the requisite information with respect to such Material Event that results in such Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading) and (vi) of the determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement will be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3(i)), state that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of Section 3(i) shall apply. Use reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment or, if a Deferral Period is in effect, at the earliest possible moment after the Deferral Period. 6 7 If reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or any Notice Holder, as promptly as reasonably practicable incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such information as the Initial Purchaser or such Notice Holder shall, on the basis of an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters, determine to be required to be included therein by applicable law and make any required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment; provided, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 3(e) that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law. As promptly as reasonably practicable furnish to each Notice Holder and the Initial Purchaser, upon their request and without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including financial statements, but excluding schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (unless requested in writing to the Company by such Notice Holder or the Initial Purchaser, as the case may be). During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice Holder in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth therein. Subject to Section 3(i), prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be included in the Notice and Questionnaire) it being agreed that no such registration or qualification will be made unless so requested; prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in connection with such Notice Holder's offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do any and all other acts or things necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided, that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it is not otherwise qualified but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject. Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any fact (a "Material Event") as a result of which any Registration Statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence of any corporate development that, in the discretion of the Company, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, (i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the next sentence, as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare and file a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration 7 8 Statement, subject to the next sentence, use reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared effective as promptly as is reasonably practicable, and (ii) give notice to the Notice Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is suspended (a "Deferral Notice") and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Notice Holder's receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x) in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as reasonably practicable, (y) in the case of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company, public disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary to the interests of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or expense, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of clause (C) above, as soon as, in the discretion of the Company, such suspension is no longer appropriate. The period during which the availability of the Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended (the "Deferral Period") shall, without the Company incurring any obligation to pay liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(e), not exceed forty-five (45) days in any three (3) month period or ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period. If reasonably requested in writing in connection with a disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours by a representative for the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities and any broker-dealers, attorneys and accountants retained by such Notice Holders, all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate executive officers, directors and designated employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours all relevant information reasonably requested by such representative for the Notice Holders or any such broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary for similar "due diligence" examinations; provided, however, that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any information that is reasonably designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such persons and shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising rights under this Agreement and such person shall comply with applicable securities laws, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of any Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such information becomes available to any such person from a source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement; and provided further, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall, to the greatest extent possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the Notice Holders and the other parties entitled thereto by the counsel referred to in Section 5. Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 90 days after the end of the first 12-month period constituting a fiscal year commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the first fiscal year of the Company commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods. Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and cause such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least two Business Days prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities. Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee for the LYONs and the transfer agent for the Common Stock with certificates for the Registrable Securities that are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company. 8 9 Make reasonable effort to provide such information as is required for any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, announce the same, in each case by release to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News or other reasonable means of distribution. Enter into such customary agreements and take all such other reasonable necessary actions in connection therewith (including those reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate disposition of such Registrable Securities; provided that the Company shall not be required to take any action in connection with an underwritten offering without its consent; and Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of any Registration Statement; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner. Holder's Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof (including the information required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence. Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading and any other information regarding such Notice Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as may be required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement under applicable law or pursuant to SEC comments. Each Holder further agrees, following termination of the Effectiveness Period, to notify the Company within 10 business days of request, of the amount of Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Registration Statement and, in the absence of a response, the Company may assume that all of the Holder's Registrable Securities were so sold. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement whether or not any of the Registration Statements are declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws to the extent such filings or compliance are required pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the counsel specified in the next sentence in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Notice Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement may designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii) duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, and (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock. In addition, the Company shall bear or reimburse the Notice Holders for the fees and disbursements of one firm of legal counsel for the Holders, which shall, upon the written consent of the Initial Purchaser (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), be a nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities law matters designated by the Company. In addition, the Company shall pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which the same securities of the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company. INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION. 9 10 The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser and each Holder of Registrable Securities and each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, as follows: (a) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (b) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company; and (c) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Initial Purchaser), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above; provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchaser, such Holder of Registrable Securities (which also acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein) or any person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser or any such Holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (1) arising from an offer or sale of Registrable Securities occurring during a Deferral Period, if a Deferral Notice was given to such Notice Holder in accordance with Section 8(b), or (2) if the Holder fails to deliver at or prior to the written confirmation of sale, the most recent Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and such Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, would have corrected such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact. In connection with any Shelf Registration in which a Holder, including, without limitation, the Initial Purchaser, of Registrable Securities is participating, in furnishing information relating to such Holder of Registrable Securities to the Company in writing expressly for use in such Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Holders of such Registrable Securities agree, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder of Registrable Securities (which also acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein) or any person, if any, who controls any such Holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). 10 11 The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Holders of Registrable Securities, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchaser expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. The indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel), whose fees must be reasonable, for the Initial Purchaser, Holders of Registrable Securities, and all persons, if any, who control the Initial Purchaser or Holders of Registrable Securities within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, collectively (b) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel), whose fees must be reasonable, for the Company and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all fees and expenses payable under (a) and (b) above shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Initial Purchaser, Holders of Registrable Securities, and control persons of the Initial Purchaser and Holders of Registrable Securities, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Initial Purchaser. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement; provided, that an indemnifying party shall not be liable for any such settlement effected without its consent if such indemnifying party (1) reimburses such indemnified party in accordance with such request to the extent it considers such request to be reasonable and (2) provides written notice to the indemnified party substantiating the unpaid balance as unreasonable, in each case prior to the date of such settlement. 11 12 If the indemnification to which an indemnified party is entitled under this Section 6 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient although applicable in accordance with its terms to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Holder of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 6(e). The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 6(e) shall be deemed to include any out-of-pocket legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, neither the Holder of any Registrable Securities nor the Initial Purchaser, shall be required to indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such Holder of Registrable Securities or by the Initial Purchaser, as the case may be, and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder of Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(e), each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Initial Purchaser or such Holder, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, as the case may be. Information Requirements. The Company covenants that, if at any time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Company will cooperate with any Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing (including, without limitation, making such reasonable representations as any such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether the Company has complied with such filing requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the Company's most recent report required to be filed and filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities under any section of the Exchange Act. Miscellaneous; No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is not, as of the date hereof, a party to, nor shall the Company, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that 12 13 conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other issued and outstanding securities under any other agreements. Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities (with Holders of LYONs deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of this Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock into which such LYONs are or would be convertible or exchangeable as of the date on which such consent is requested). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable Securities outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(a), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is delivered to such Holder. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the parties as follows: (a) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities that is not a Notice Holder, at the address for such Holder then appearing in the Registrar (as defined in the Indenture); (b) if to a Notice Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto; (c) if to the Company, to: Novellus Systems, Inc. 4000 North First Street San Jose, CA 95134 Attention: Robert H. Smith Telecopier No.: (408) 943-3422 with a copy to: Morrison & Foerster LLP 755 Page Mill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304-1018 Attention: Justin Bastian, Esq. Telecopier: (650) 494-0792 and (z) if to the Initial Purchaser, to: Merrill Lynch & Co., 13 14 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 3075 B Hansen Way Palo Alto, CA 94304-1025 Attention: Rex Sherry Telecopy No.: (650) 849-2198 or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith. Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial Purchaser or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage. Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any Registrable Securities from the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchaser. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Holder of any Registrable Securities. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as provided in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings among the parties solely with respect to such registration rights. Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for any liabilities or obligations under Sections 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the obligations to make payments of and provide for Liquidated Damages under Section 2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms. 14 15 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above. NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC. By: /s/ Robert H. Smith Name: Robert H. Smith Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President Accepted as of the date first above written: MERRILL LYNCH & CO. MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED By: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED By: /s/ Matthew J. Schultz ---------------------- Authorized Signatory Vice-President 15