As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2010
Registration
No. 333-__________
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NEOSTEM,
INC.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
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22-2343568
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification Number)
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420
Lexington Avenue
Suite
450
New
York, New York 10170
(212)
584-4180
(Address, Including Zip Code, and
Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant ‘s Principal
Executive Offices)
Catherine
M. Vaczy, Esq.
Vice
President and General Counsel
NeoStem,
Inc.
420
Lexington Avenue, Suite 450
New
York, NY 10170
(212)
584-4180
(Name,
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent
for Service)
Copy
to:
Alan
Wovsaniker, Esq.
Lowenstein
Sandler PC
65
Livingston Avenue
Roseland,
New Jersey 07068
Telephone:
(973) 597-2500
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time after this
Registration Statement becomes effective.
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.þ
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. ¨
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.
Large
accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated
filer ¨
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Non-accelerated
filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller
reporting company þ
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class of securities to be
registered (1)
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Amount to be registered (1)
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Proposed
maximum
offering price per
unit
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Proposed
maximum
aggregate offering
price (2)(3)
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Amount of
registration
fee(4)
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Common
stock, $0.001 par value per share
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— |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
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Preferred
stock, $0.01 par value per share
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— |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
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(5 |
) |
Debt
securities
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— |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
) |
Warrants
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— |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
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(5 |
) |
Units
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— |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
) |
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(5 |
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Total
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$ |
45,000,000 |
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$ |
3,209 |
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(1)
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This
registration statement covers the registration of such indeterminate
number of shares of common stock, such indeterminate number of shares of
preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities,
such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred
stock or debt securities and units consisting of any
combination of such securities, as shall have an aggregate initial
offering price not to exceed $45,000,000. If any debt securities are
issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt
securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an
aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $45,000,000, less the
aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued
hereunder. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate
amount of securities that may be issued in exchange for, or upon
conversion or exercise of preferred stock, debt securities or warrants
being registered hereunder or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of
any such securities. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold
separately or as units with other securities registered
hereunder.
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(2)
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In
United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in any other currency,
currency unit or units, or composite currency or
currencies.
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(3)
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The
proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of
security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in
connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities
registered hereunder.
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(4)
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Estimated
solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(o) under the Securities Act of
1933.
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(5)
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Not
required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.D. of
Form S-3.
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The
registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS
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Subject
to Completion, dated April 19, 2010
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$45,000,000
NEOSTEM,
INC.
Common
Stock
Preferred
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
We may
from time to time offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities,
warrants and units, having an aggregate offering price of up to
$45,000,000. We may offer and sell these securities separately or together
in any combination. We may offer and sell these securities to or through
underwriters, directly to investors or through agents. We will specify the
terms of the securities, and the names of any underwriters or agents and their
respective compensation, in supplements to this prospectus.
Our
common stock is listed on the on the NYSE Amex and traded under the symbol
“NBS.” The closing bid price of our common stock on the NYSE Amex on
April 16, 2010 was $2.02 per share. As of April 16, 2010, the aggregate
market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was
approximately $50,446,145 million. We have not offered any of our common stock
pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar month
period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus.
Investing
in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” at page 2 of this
prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
This
prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The date
of this prospectus is _____, 2010.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
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1
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NEOSTEM,
INC.
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1
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RISK
FACTORS
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2
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SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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2
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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2
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THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
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3
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DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
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3
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
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11
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DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
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21
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DESCRIPTION
OF UNITS
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23
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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24
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VALIDITY
OF SECURITIES
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26
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EXPERTS
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26
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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26
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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27
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No
dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement in
connection with the offer made by this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus
supplement and, if given or made, such information or representations must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by NeoStem, Inc. or any such
person. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any accompanying
prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder and thereunder shall under any
circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs
of NeoStem, Inc. since the date hereof. This prospectus or any
accompanying prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer or solicitation
by anyone in any state in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or
in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so
or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or
solicitation.
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this
shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this
prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of
$45,000,000. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general
description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities
under this shelf registration process, we will provide a prospectus supplement
that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We
may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement or any “free writing
prospectus” we may authorize to be delivered to you any of the information
contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between
the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement or
any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you, you should
rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus,
as the case may be, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is
inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for
example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement—the statement in the document having the later date
modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. This prospectus, together
with the applicable prospectus supplements and any free writing prospectus we
may authorize to be delivered to you, includes all material information relating
to this offering.
An
investment in our securities involves certain risks that should be carefully
considered by prospective investors. See “Risk Factors.”
You
should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement as well as additional
information described under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference”
and “Where You Can Find More Information” on pages 26 and 27,
respectively.
NEOSTEM,
INC.
In 2009,
through our expansion efforts within the People’s Republic of China (“China” or
the “PRC”), and with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Suzhou Erye
Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd. (“Erye”), we transitioned into a multi-dimensional
international biopharmaceutical company with product and service revenues,
global research and development capabilities and operations in three distinct
business units: (i) U.S. adult stem cells, (ii) China adult stem cells and (iii)
China pharmaceuticals, primarily antibiotics. These business units are expected
to provide platforms for the accelerated development and commercialization of
innovative technologies and products in both the U.S. and
China.
In the
U.S. we are a leading provider of adult stem cell collection, processing and
storage services enabling healthy individuals to donate and store their stem
cells for personal therapeutic use. Similar to the banking of cord blood,
pre-donating cells at a younger age helps to ensure a supply of one’s own stem
cells should they be needed for future medical treatment. Our current
network of U.S. adult stem cell collection centers is focused primarily on the
Southern California and Northeast markets and during 2010 we have begun to enter
into new agreements for collection centers with the goal of expanding our
coverage to ten centers by the end of 2010. In addition to our services,
we are conducting research and development activities on our own at our new
laboratory facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts and through collaborations in
pursuit of diagnostic and therapeutic applications using autologous adult stem
cells, including applications using our VSELTM
technology, with regard to very small embryonic-like stem cells, which we
license from the University of Louisville.
In 2009,
we began several China-based, adult stem cell initiatives including: (i)
creating a separate China-based stem cell operation, (ii) constructing a stem
cell research and development laboratory and processing facility in Beijing,
(iii) establishing relationships with hospitals to provide stem cell-based
therapies, and (iv) obtaining product licenses covering several adult stem cell
therapeutics focused on regenerative medicine. In 2010, we expect to begin
offering stem cell banking services and certain stem cell therapies to patients
in China, as well as to foreigners traveling to China seeking medical treatments
that are either unavailable or cost prohibitive in their home
countries.
The
cornerstone of our China pharmaceuticals business is the 51% ownership interest
we acquired in Erye in October 2009. Erye was founded more than 50 years
ago and represents an established, vertically-integrated pharmaceutical
business. Historically, Erye has concentrated its efforts on the
manufacturing and distribution of generic antibiotic products and has received
more than 160 production certificates from the State Food and Drug
Administration of China, or SFDA, covering both antibiotic prescription drugs
and active pharmaceutical intermediates (APIs). Erye’s revenue for 2009
was approximately $61 million.
Our
website address is www.neostem.com. The
information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus
and should not be considered to be a part of this prospectus. We have
included our website address as an inactive technical reference
only.
NeoStem,
Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in September 1980
under the name Fidelity Medical Services, Inc., and commenced operations in our
current line of business in January 2006. On October 30, 2009, we
completed a merger with China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc., the former
owner of the 51% interest in Erye. Our principal executive offices are
located at 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 450, New York, New York 10170, and our
telephone number is (212) 584-4180. Unless otherwise stated, all
references to “us,” “our,” “NeoStem,” “we,” the “Company” and similar
designations refer to NeoStem, Inc.
RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in our securities involves risk. Please see the risk factors under the
heading “Risk Factors” located on page 19 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2009 on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully
consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by
reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and
uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we
currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This
prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 facts, that we include in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement,
and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, may be
deemed forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act. We use the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would” and similar
expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot
guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations
disclosed in our forward-looking statements and, accordingly, you should not
place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number
of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements that we make, including the
factors included in the documents we incorporate by reference in this
prospectus. You should read these factors and the other cautionary
statements made in the documents we incorporate by reference as being applicable
to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this
prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and any document incorporated by
reference. We caution you that we do not undertake any obligation to
update forward-looking statements made by us.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the
net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for general
corporate purposes, including working capital and general corporate
purposes. Although we have no present plans or intentions, we may use a
portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in complementary
businesses. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement our intended
use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities. Pending
the use of the net proceeds, we may use the net proceeds to invest in
investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
The
descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the
applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and
provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will
describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the
particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement.
If we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the
securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will
also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about
material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the
securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be
listed.
We may
sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:
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warrants
to purchase any of the securities listed above;
and
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units
consisting of any combination of the securities listed
above.
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In this
prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities,
warrants and units collectively as “securities.” The total dollar
amount of all securities that we may sell will not exceed
$45,000,000.
If we
issue debt securities at a discount from their original stated principal amount,
then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities
issued under this prospectus, we will treat the initial offering price of the
debt securities as the total original principal amount of the debt
securities.
This
prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
The
following is a summary of all material characteristics of our capital stock as
set forth in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and our Class A warrants
and Class D warrants. The summary does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and
bylaws and the Class A warrants and Class D warrants, each as amended to date,
and to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
as amended, or the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Common
Stock
We are
authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per
share. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share in
the election of directors and on all other matters on which stockholders are
entitled or permitted to vote. Holders of our common stock are not
entitled to cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of a majority of the
shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Subject to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders
of common stock are entitled to dividends in the amounts and at times as may be
declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available. Upon
liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are entitled to share
ratably in all net assets available for distribution to stockholders after
payment of any liquidation preferences to holders of our preferred stock.
Holders of our common stock have no redemption, conversion or preemptive
rights.
As of
April 5, 2010, we had 43,947,142 shares of common stock issued and outstanding,
exclusive of existing options and warrants and the shares to be issued in this
offering.
Preferred
Stock
We are
authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01
per share, with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined
from time to time by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors
is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with
dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights that could adversely
affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock.
The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of restricting dividends
on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock, impairing
the liquidation rights of the common stock, or delaying or preventing a change
in control of our company, all without further action by our
stockholders.
As of
April 5, 2010, there were:
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825,000
shares of our Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par
value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), authorized for issuance,
10,000 shares of which were outstanding;
and
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·
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8,177,512
shares of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per
share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), authorized for issuance, all of
which were outstanding.
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Series
B Preferred Stock
The
Series B Preferred Stock ranks pari passu with our common
stock with respect to the payment of dividends and to the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. So long as any shares of the
Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend shall be declared or paid
or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon our common
stock or upon any other stock ranking junior to, or on a parity with, the Series
B Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up, unless, in the case of our preferred stock, the same dividend is declared,
paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding shares of the Series B
Preferred Stock or in the case of our common stock, ten times such dividend per
share is declared, paid or set aside for payment on each outstanding share of
our Series B Preferred Stock.
Except as
otherwise provided by law, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock has the
same voting rights as ten shares of our common stock and the holders of the
Series B Preferred Stock and our common stock shall vote together as one class
on all matters. The holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock
has the right, at such holder’s option, to convert such share into one fully
paid and non-assessable share of our common stock, subject to
adjustment.
In the
event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
our company, after any distribution of assets is made to the holders of any
other class or series of stock that ranks prior to the Series B Preferred Stock
in respect of distributions upon the liquidation of our company, the holder of
each share of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be
paid out of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders, an amount
on a pari passu basis
equal to ten times the amount per share distributed to the holders of our common
stock. After payment of the full amount of the distribution to which they
are entitled, the holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be
entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the
corporation.
Shares of
Series B Preferred Stock issued and reacquired by us shall have the status of
authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock, undesignated as to series,
subject to later issuance. Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
are not entitled to any preemptive or subscription rights in respect of any
securities of the corporation.
Series
C Preferred Stock
The
Series C Preferred Stock, with respect to rights on liquidation, dissolution and
winding up of the affairs of our company, ranks senior to all classes of our
common stock and, subject to the rights of our preferred stock outstanding or
that may come into existence providing that the Series C Preferred Stock shall
rank junior or senior thereto, our other equity securities.
The
holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an annual
dividend of 5% of the agreed stated value (as discussed below), payable annually
on the first day of January. Payment of the annual dividend may be either
in cash or in kind as determined by our Board of Directors. The annual
dividend is cumulative and began to accrue on outstanding shares of Series C
Preferred Stock from and after October 30, 2009, on a daily basis computed on
the basis of a 365-day year and is compounded annually whether or not we have
assets legally available therefor. Any payment in shares of Series C
Preferred Stock shall be based on the agreed stated value of $1.00 per share,
and any payment in kind in shares of our common stock shall be made at the
market value on the dividend payment date.
So long
as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend may be
declared or paid or set apart for payment on any junior stock, unless there also
has been declared and paid or set apart for payment on the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock, all accrued and unpaid annual dividends. In the event
that full cumulative dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock have
not been declared and paid or set apart for payment when due, we may not declare
or pay or set apart for payment any dividends or make any other distributions on
or make payment on account of the purchase, redemption or other retirement of
any junior stock, until full cumulative dividends on the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set a part for payment;
provided, however, that the foregoing does not apply to (i) any dividend payable
solely in shares of any class or series junior stock or (ii) the purchase,
redemption or conversion of shares of any junior stock, in exchange solely for
shares of junior stock.
To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the holders of the outstanding shares of Series
C Preferred Stock may waive any annual dividend that such holders shall be
entitled to receive by the affirmation vote or written consent of the holders of
at least a majority of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock then
outstanding. In the event of our liquidation, after payment or provision
for payment of our debts and other liabilities, the holders of the Series C
Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of our assets
available for distribution to our stockholders, before and in preference to any
payment or declaration and setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made
in respect of any junior stock, an amount equal to $1.125 per share plus an
amount equal to all accrued dividends unpaid thereon, whether or not
declared. All shares of Series C Preferred Stock rank as to payment upon
the occurrence of any liquidation event senior to our common stock and, unless
the terms of such other series shall provide otherwise, senior to all other
series of our preferred stock.
Each
share of our Series C Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the
holder thereof, without the payment of additional consideration, into such
number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of our common stock equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing $1.00 per share plus all accrued dividends unpaid
thereon, whether or not declared, together with any other dividends declared but
unpaid thereon, by $0.90, subject to adjustment.
If at
anytime after the date of issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, the closing
price of the sale of shares of our common stock on the NYSE Amex (or NeoStem’s
principal securities exchange, if other than the NYSE Amex) exceed $2.50 per
share, subject to adjustment, for a period of 20 out of 30 consecutive trading
days, and if the dollar value of the trading volume of our common stock for each
day during such 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds
$250,000, we may require the holders of Series C Preferred Stock to convert such
stock to common stock, on ten days notice, based on the conversion
price.
Prior to
the seventh anniversary of issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, we may at
any time we may lawfully do so, at the option of our Board of Directors and
after giving the holders of shares Series C Preferred Stock an opportunity to
convert all their shares of Series C Preferred Stock into shares of our common
stock, redeem all, but not less than all, of the shares of Series C Preferred
Stock then outstanding by paying in cash, for each share, an amount equal to the
sum of the original issue price and all accrued but unpaid annual
dividends.
At any
time following the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the Series C Preferred
Stock, following the written request of the holders of not less than a majority
of the shares Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding, we shall redeem all of
the shares of Series C Preferred Stock (or, if less, the maximum amount it may
lawfully redeem) by paying in cash, for each share, an amount equal to the sum
of the original issue price and all accrued but unpaid annual dividends on such
share.
Holders
of shares of Series C Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote, as a separate
class or otherwise on any matter, and their consent is not required for any
corporate action, except as otherwise required by law or as expressly provided
in our certificate of incorporation.
Shares of
Series C Preferred Stock issued and reacquired by us shall have the status of
authorized and unissued shares of our preferred stock, undesignated as to
series, subject to later issuance. Holders of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock are not entitled to any preemptive or subscription rights in respect to
any of our securities.
Options
As of
April 5, 2010, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 10,215,574
shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.71 to $15.00 per
share, with an approximate weighted average exercise price of $1.94 per
share. The shares of our common stock underlying all such options are
currently registered for sale with the SEC.
Warrants
As of
April 5, 2010, we had outstanding (i) warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,868,099 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.50 to
$6.50 or an approximate weighted average exercise price of $3.00 per share, (ii)
Class A warrants to purchase an aggregate of 635,000 shares of our common stock
at an exercise price of $6.00 per share and (iii) Class D warrants to purchase
12,932,512 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per
share. The holders of a vast majority of such warrants have registration
rights for the shares underlying the warrants.
Class
A Warrants
Each
Class A warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at
an exercise price per share of $6.00. The exercise price per share of each Class
A warrant is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as
provided in the Class A warrant certificate and summarized below. The
Class A warrants may be exercised at any time until July 16, 2012, which is the
expiration date, unless redeemed. The Class A warrants which have not previously
been exercised will expire on the expiration date. A Class A warrant
holder will not be deemed to be a holder of the underlying common stock for any
purpose until the Class A warrant has been properly exercised.
In the
event our common stock is trading at a price equal to or exceeding the
redemption threshold of $8.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, we have
the option to call the Class A warrants. If the holders of the Class A
warrants have not exercised the Class A warrants within 30 days of the written
notice to call, we may redeem the Class A warrants at $0.001 per warrant.
We will send the written notice of call by first class mail to Class A warrant
holders at their last known addresses appearing on the registration records
maintained by the transfer agent for the Class A warrants. No other form
of notice by publication or otherwise will be required. If we call any
Class A warrants for redemption, they will be exercisable until the close of
business on the business day next preceding the specified redemption
date.
A Class A
warrant holder may exercise our Class A warrants only if an appropriate
registration statement is then in effect with the SEC and if the shares of our
common stock underlying the Class A warrants are qualified for sale under the
securities laws of the state in which the holder resides.
During
the term of the Class A warrants, the holders thereof are given the opportunity
to profit from a rise in the market of our common stock, with a resulting
dilution in the interest of all other stockholders. So long as the Class A
warrants are outstanding, the terms on which we could obtain additional capital
may be adversely affected. The holders of the Class A warrants might be expected
to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain
any needed capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than
those provided by the Class A warrants.
The
exercise price and redemption price of the Class A warrants are subject to
adjustment in specified circumstances, including in the event we declare any
stock dividend to stockholders or effect any split or reverse split with respect
to our common stock after the issuance thereof. Therefore, if we effect
any stock split or reverse split with respect to our common stock, the exercise
price in effect immediately prior to such stock split or reverse split will be
proportionately reduced or increased, respectively. Any adjustment of the
exercise price will also result in an adjustment of the number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of a Class A warrant or, if we elect, an adjustment of
the number of Class A warrants outstanding. The Class A warrants do not contain
provisions protecting against dilution resulting from the sale of additional
shares of our common stock for less than the exercise price of the Class A
warrants or the current market price of our common stock.
Until
exercised, the Class A warrants will have no voting, dividend or other
stockholder rights.
Class
D Warrants
Each
Class D Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at
an exercise price per share of $2.50. The exercise price per share of each
Class D warrant is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events
as provided in the Class D warrant certificate and summarized below. The Class D
warrants may be exercised at any time during their five year term, or eight year
term in the case of a Class D warrant to purchase an aggregate of 4,000,000
shares held by RimAsia Capital Partners, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited
partnership and an affiliate of the Company (“RimAsia”), unless redeemed.
The Class D warrants which have not been previously exercised will expire at the
expiration date. A Class D warrant holder will not be deemed to be a
holder of the underlying common stock for any purpose until the Class D warrant
is exercised.
In the
event our common stock is trading at a per share price equal to or exceeding the
redemption threshold of $3.50, or $5.00 in the case of the Class D warrant held
by RimAsia, for twenty consecutive trading days, we have the option to call the
Class D warrants. If the holders of Class D warrants have not exercised
the Class D Warrants within 30 days of the written notice to call, we may redeem
the Class D warrants at $0.001 per warrant. We will send the written
notice of call by first class mail to Class D warrant holders at their last
known addresses appearing on the registration records maintained by the transfer
agent of the Class D warrants. No other form of notice by publication or
otherwise will be required. If we call any Class D Warrants for
redemption, they will be exercisable until close of business on the business day
next preceding the specified redemption date.
The
exercise price and redemption price of the Class D warrants are subject to
adjustment in specified circumstances, including in the event we declare any
stock dividend to stockholders or effect any split or reverse split with respect
to our common stock after the issuance thereof. Therefore, if we effect
any stock split or reverse split with respect to our common stock, the exercise
price in effect immediately prior to such stock split or reverse split will be
proportionately reduced or increased, respectively. Any adjustment of the
exercise price will also result in an adjustment of the number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of a Class D warrant or, if we elect, an adjustment of
the number of Class D warrants outstanding. The Class D warrants do not
contain provisions protecting against dilution resulting from the sale of
additional shares of our common stock for less than the exercise price of the
Class D warrants or the current market price of our common stock.
Until
exercised, the Class D warrants will have no voting, dividend or other
stockholder rights.
Anti-Takeover
Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws
Our
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws contain a number of
provisions that could make our acquisition by means of a tender or exchange
offer, a proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. These provisions are
summarized below.
Classified Board of Directors.
Pursuant to Article ELEVENTH of our Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the directors constituting our Board of Directors are classified,
with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three
classes as nearly equal in number as possible. In implementing the classified
Board, our Board of Directors assigned members of the Board of Directors already
in office into three classes, with one class assigned a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2010, a second class assigned a
term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2011, and a
third class assigned a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held in 2012, with each class to hold office until its successor is elected and
qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders commencing with the election
in 2010, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that
meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their
election. Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, if a board of
directors is classified, unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise
provides, members of the board of directors may be removed by the stockholders
before the expiration of their respective terms only for cause.
Our
classified Board of Directors may have an anti-takeover effect of making more
difficult and discouraging a takeover attempt, merger, tender offer, or proxy
fight. Additionally, our classified Board of Directors extends the time it would
take for holders of a majority of our shares to remove incumbent management to
obtain control of the Board of Directors. That is, as a general matter a
majority stockholder could not obtain control of the Board of Directors until
the second annual stockholder’s meeting after it acquired a majority of the
voting stock. Our classified Board of Directors may have the effect of making it
more difficult for stockholders to remove our existing management.
Removal of Directors.
Our bylaws provide that any one or more or all of our directors may be
removed with cause only by the holders of at least a majority of the shares then
entitled to vote at an election of our directors. No director may be removed by
the stockholders without cause prior to the expiration of his or her term.
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, if a board of directors is
classified (as is our Board of Directors), unless the certificate of
incorporation otherwise provides, members of the board of directors may be
removed by the stockholders before the expiration of their respective terms only
for cause.
Special Meetings. Our
bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may, unless otherwise
prescribed by law, be called by our Chairman of the Board (if any), our Board of
Directors or our Chief Executive Officer and shall be held at such place, on
such date and at such time as shall be fixed by our Board of Directors or the
person calling the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be
limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of
the meeting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock.
The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible
for our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights
or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us. The
ability to issue preferred stock may have the effect of deferring hostile
takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our
company.
Delaware Anti-Takeover
Statute. The provisions of Delaware law, our Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of discouraging
others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also
inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that
often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions
may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible
that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions
that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best
interests.
We are
subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly
held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an
interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person
became an interested stockholder unless:
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prior
to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted
in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
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upon
completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting
stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares
outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also
officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee
participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether
shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange
offer; and
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on
or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is
approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at
least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by
the interested stockholder.
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Generally,
a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other
transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the
determination of interested stockholder status, owned 15% or more of a
corporation’s outstanding voting securities. We expect the existence of
this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our
Board of Directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that
Section 203 may discourage attempted acquisitions that might result in a premium
over the market price for the shares of our common stock held by
stockholders.
Potential
Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock
We have
shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without
stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety
of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional
capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the
capital stock.
The
existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable
our Board of Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management
or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or
discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger,
tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of
our management. In addition, the Board of Directors has the discretion to
determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption
privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to
the fullest extent permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law and
subject to any limitations set forth in our certificate of incorporation.
The purpose of authorizing the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock and
to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to
eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances.
The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in
connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes,
could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire,
or could discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding
voting stock.
Limitations
of Director Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers and
Employees
Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, permits indemnification of
directors, officers, agents and controlling persons of a corporation under
certain conditions and subject to certain limitations. Section 145
empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or agent of the
corporation or another enterprise if serving at the request of the
corporation. Depending on the character of the proceeding, a corporation
may indemnify against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith
and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to, the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation,
no indemnification may be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of
liability such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the court shall deem proper. Section 145 further provides
that to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has
been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall
be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Indemnification
Agreements
We have
entered into indemnification agreements with each of our Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, certain other employees and
each of our directors pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify such party
to the full extent permitted by law, subject to certain exceptions, if such
party becomes subject to an action because such party is our director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary.
Transfer
Agent
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company. Its address is 17 Battery Place, New York, New York,
10004 and its telephone number is (212) 509-4000.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
We
summarize below some of the provisions that will apply to the debt securities
unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. This summary may
not contain all information that is important to you. The complete terms of the
debt securities will be contained in the applicable notes. The notes will be
included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the provisions of the notes.
You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional
information and which may update or change some of the information
below.
General
This
prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt
securities. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and
a trustee to be designated prior to the issuance of the debt securities. When we
offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the
specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The
prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and
provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt
securities.
We may
issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will
consist of either our senior debt (“senior debt securities”), our senior
subordinated debt (“senior subordinated debt securities”), our subordinated debt
(“subordinated debt securities”) or our junior subordinated debt (“junior
subordinated debt securities” and, together with the senior subordinated debt
securities and the subordinated debt securities, the “subordinated securities”).
Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior
subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt
securities.
We have
summarized herein certain terms and provisions of the form of indenture (the
“indenture”). The summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the actual text of the indenture. The indenture is an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read
the indenture for the provisions which may be important to you. The indenture is
subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
The
indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities which we may issue. We
may issue debt securities up to an aggregate principal amount as we may
authorize from time to time which securities may be in any currency or currency
unit designated by us. The terms of each series of debt securities will be
established by or pursuant to (a) a supplemental indenture, (b) a resolution of
our board of directors, or (c) an officers’ certificate pursuant to authority
granted under a resolution of our board of directors. The prospectus supplement
will describe the terms of any debt securities being offered,
including:
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the
title of the debt securities;
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the
limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount or issue price of the
debt securities of a series;
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ranking
of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding
indebtedness, including any debt of any of our
subsidiaries;
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the
price or prices at which the debt securities will be
issued;
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the
designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of
the series of debt securities;
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the
issue date or dates of the series and the maturity date of the
series;
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whether
the securities will be issued at par or at a premium over or a discount
from their face amount;
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the
interest rate, if any, and the method for calculating the interest rate
and basis upon which interest shall be
calculated;
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the
right, if any, to extend interest payment periods and the duration of the
extension;
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the
interest payment dates and the record dates for the interest
payments;
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any
mandatory or optional redemption terms or prepayment, conversion, sinking
fund or exchangeability or convertibility
provisions;
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the
currency of denomination of the
securities;
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the
place where we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any,
and the place where the debt securities may be presented for
transfer;
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if
payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the
debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units
other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the
manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be
determined;
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if
other than denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000, the
denominations the debt securities will be issued
in;
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whether
the debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or
certificates;
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the
applicability of and additional provisions, if any, relating to the
defeasance of the debt securities;
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the
portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire
principal amount;
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the
currency or currencies, if other than the currency of the United States,
in which principal and interest will be
paid;
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the
dates on which premium, if any, will be
paid;
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any
addition to or change in the “Events of Default” described in this
prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any
change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in
the indenture with respect to the debt
securities;
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any
addition to or change in the covenants described in the prospectus or in
the indenture with respect to the debt
securities;
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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of this
deferral period; and
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other
specific terms, including any additional events of default or
covenants.
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We may
issue debt securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. Even if
we do not issue the debt securities below their stated principal amount, for
United States federal income tax purposes the debt securities may be deemed to
have been issued with a discount because of certain interest payment
characteristics. We will describe in any applicable prospectus supplement the
United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities
issued at a discount or deemed to be issued at a discount, and will describe any
special United States federal income tax considerations that may be applicable
to the particular debt securities.
Senior
Debt
Senior
debt securities will rank equally and pari passu with all of our
other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time
outstanding.
Subordinated
Debt
The
indenture does not limit our ability to issue subordinated debt securities. Any
subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set
forth in the supplemental indenture, board resolution or officers’ certificate
related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant
prospectus supplement.
If this
prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt
securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information
incorporated by reference in this prospectus will set forth the approximate
amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter.
Conversion
or Exchange Rights
Debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or
property. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth
in the supplemental indenture, board resolution or officers’ certificate related
to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant
prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the
following:
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the
conversion or exchange price;
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the
conversion or exchange period;
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provisions
regarding our ability or the ability of the holder to convert
or exchange the debt securities;
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events
requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price;
and
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provisions
affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the
debt securities.
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Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The
indenture prohibits us from merging into or consolidating with any other person
or selling, leasing or conveying substantially all of our assets and the assets
of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:
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either
we are the continuing corporation or the successor corporation or the
person which acquires by sale, lease or conveyance substantially all our
or our subsidiaries’ assets is a corporation organized under the laws of
the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and
expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the debt securities and the
due performance of every covenant of the indenture to be performed or
observed by us, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the trustee,
executed and delivered to the trustee by such
corporation;
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immediately
after giving effect to such transactions, no Event of Default described
under the caption “Events of Default and Remedies” below or event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default,
has happened and is continuing; and
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we
have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of
counsel each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture
comply with the indenture provisions relating to merger, consolidation and
sale of assets.
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Upon any
consolidation or merger with or into any other person or any sale, conveyance,
lease, or other transfer of all or substantially all of our or our subsidiaries’
assets to any person, the successor person shall succeed, and be substituted
for, us under the indenture and each series of outstanding debt securities, and
we shall be relieved of all obligations under the indenture and each series of
outstanding debt securities to the extent we were the predecessor
person.
Events
of Default and Remedies
When we
use the term “Event of Default” in the indenture with respect to the debt
securities of any series, we mean:
(1) default
in paying interest on the debt securities when it becomes due and the default
continues for a period of 30 days or more;
(2) default
in paying principal, or premium, if any, on the debt securities when
due;
(3) default
is made in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation
when the same becomes due, and such default continues for 30 days or
more;
(4) default
in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty in the indenture
(other than defaults specified in clause (1), (2) or (3) above) and the default
or breach continues for a period of 60 days or more after we receive written
notice of such default from the trustee or we and the trustee receive notice
from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of the series;
(5) certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, administration or similar
proceedings with respect to us have occurred; and
(6) any
other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series
that is set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this
prospectus.
No Event
of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily
constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt
securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under
the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other
indebtedness that we may have outstanding from time to time. Unless otherwise
provided by the terms of an applicable series of debt securities, if an Event of
Default under the indenture occurs with respect to the debt securities of any
series and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 51%
of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series may by written notice require us to repay immediately the entire
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or such
lesser amount as may be provided in the terms of the securities), together with
all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any. In the case of an Event of
Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. We refer you to the
prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are
discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a
portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default.
After a
declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind this accelerated
payment requirement if all existing Events of Default, except for nonpayment of
the principal on the debt securities of that series that has become due solely
as a result of the accelerated payment requirement, have been cured or waived
and if the rescission of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or
decree. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series also have the right to waive past
defaults, except a default in paying principal or interest on any outstanding
debt security, or in respect of a covenant or a provision that cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of all holders of the debt securities of
that series.
No holder
of any debt security may seek to institute a proceeding with respect to the
indenture unless such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee
of a continuing Event of Default, the holders of not less than 51% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series have made a
written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of the Event
of Default, the holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the
trustee and the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days
after it received this notice. In addition, within this 60-day period the
trustee must not have received directions inconsistent with this written request
by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series. These limitations do not apply, however, to a suit
instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of the payment of
principal, interest or any premium on or after the due dates for such
payment.
During
the existence of an Event of Default actually known to a responsible officer of
the trustee, the trustee is required to exercise the rights and powers vested in
it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise
as a prudent person would under the circumstances in the conduct of that
person’s own affairs. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at
the request or direction of any of the holders unless the holders have offered
to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee.
Subject to certain provisions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the trustee, or exercising any trust, or power conferred on the
trustee.
The
trustee will, within 90 days after receiving notice of any default, give notice
of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series, unless the
default was already cured or waived. Unless there is a default in paying
principal, interest or any premium when due, the trustee can withhold giving
notice to the holders if it determines in good faith that the withholding of
notice is in the interest of the holders. In the case of a default specified in
clause (4) above describing Events of Default, no notice of default to the
holders of the debt securities of that series will be given until 60 days after
the occurrence of the event of default.
The
indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to
furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The
indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt
securities of any series of any Event of Default (except in payment on any debt
securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it
in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the
holders of those debt securities.
Modification
and Waiver
The
indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of any holder of debt
securities in order to:
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evidence
a successor to the trustee;
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cure
ambiguities, defects or
inconsistencies;
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provide
for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or
consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets that
complies with the covenant described under “— Merger, Consolidation or
Sale of Assets”;
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make
any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the
holders of the debt securities of a
series;
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add
guarantors or co-obligors with respect to the debt securities of any
series;
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secure
the debt securities of a series;
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establish
the form or forms of debt securities of any
series;
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add
additional Events of Default with respect to the debt securities of any
series;
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add
additional provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture
Act;
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maintain
the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
or
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make
any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any holder.
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Other
amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities issued may
be made with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by
the amendment or modification. However, no modification or amendment may,
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security
affected:
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change
the maturity date or the stated payment date of any payment of premium or
interest payable on the debt
securities;
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reduce
the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the debt
securities;
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change
the method of computing the amount of principal or any interest of any
debt security;
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change
or waive the redemption or repayment provisions of the debt
securities;
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change
the currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid or the
place of payment;
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reduce
the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities of any
series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or consent
to take any action;
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impair
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt
securities;
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waive
a payment default with respect to the debt
securities;
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reduce
the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt
securities;
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adversely
affect the ranking or priority of the debt securities of any series;
or
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release
any guarantor or co-obligor from any of its obligations under its
guarantee or the indenture, except in compliance with the terms of the
indenture.
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Satisfaction,
Discharge and Covenant Defeasance
We may
terminate our obligations under the indenture with respect to the outstanding
debt securities of any series, when:
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all
debt securities of any series issued that have been authenticated and
delivered have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation;
or
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all
the debt securities of any series issued that have not been delivered to
the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due
and payable within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one
year and we have made arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the
giving of notice of redemption by such trustee in our name and at our
expense, and in each case, we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be
deposited with the trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the
entire indebtedness on the series of debt securities;
and
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we
have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under
the indenture; and
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we
have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of
counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture
relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been
complied with.
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We may
elect to have our obligations under the indenture discharged with respect to the
outstanding debt securities of any series (“legal defeasance”). Legal defeasance
means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness
represented by the outstanding debt securities of such series under the
indenture, except for:
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the
rights of holders of the debt securities to receive principal, interest
and any premium when due;
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our
obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing
temporary debt securities, registration of transfer of debt securities,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment for security payments held in
trust;
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the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee;
and
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the
defeasance provisions of the
indenture.
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In
addition, we may elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain
covenants in the indenture (“covenant defeasance”). If we so elect, any failure
to comply with these obligations will not constitute a default or an event of
default with respect to the debt securities of any series. In the event covenant
defeasance occurs, certain events, not including non-payment, bankruptcy and
insolvency events, described under “Events of Default and Remedies,” will no
longer constitute an event of default for that series.
In order
to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to
outstanding debt securities of any series:
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we
must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee
as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments,
specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits
of the holders of the debt securities of a
series:
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U.S.
government obligations (or equivalent government obligations in the case
of debt securities denominated in other than U.S. dollars or a specified
currency) that will provide, not later than one day before the due date of
any payment, money in an amount; or
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a
combination of money and U.S. government obligations (or equivalent
government obligations, as
applicable),
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in each
case sufficient, in the written opinion (with respect to U.S. or equivalent
government obligations or a combination of money and U.S. or equivalent
government obligations, as applicable) of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied
by the trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal (including mandatory
sinking fund payments), interest and any premium at due date or
maturity;
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in
the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion
of counsel stating that, under then applicable federal income tax law, the
holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income,
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit,
defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same
federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and
discharge did not occur;
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in
the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities
of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be
effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be
the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not
occur;
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no
event of default or default with respect to the outstanding debt
securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of
such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal
defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred
and is continuing at any time on or before the 91st day after the date of
such deposit, it being understood that this condition is not deemed
satisfied until after the 91st
day;
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the
legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not cause the trustee to have
a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act,
assuming all debt securities of a series were in default within the
meaning of such Act;
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the
legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or
instrument to which we are a party;
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if
prior to the stated maturity date, notice shall have been given in
accordance with the provisions of the
indenture;
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the
legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in the trust
arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless the
trust is registered under such Act or exempt from registration;
and
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we
have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of
counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the legal
defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied
with.
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Covenants
We will
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants
applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Paying
Agent and Registrar
The
trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for all debt
securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar for any series of debt
securities without prior notice, and we or any of our subsidiaries may act as
paying agent or registrar.
Form
of Securities
Each debt
security will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form
to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the
entire issuance of the series of debt securities. Certificated securities will
be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered
form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the
security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive
payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must
physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or
other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee
as the owner of the debt securities represented by these global securities. The
depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s
beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the
investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as
we explain more fully below.
Global
Securities
We may
issue the registered debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered
global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its custodian
identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of
that depositary or its nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global
securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to
the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be
represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in
whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security
may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the
registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of
the depositary or those nominees.
If not
described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect
to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be
described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We
anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary
arrangements.
Ownership
of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to
persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons
that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered
global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or
face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any
dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the
securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of
ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the
depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of
participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants.
The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair
your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered
global securities.
So long
as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered
global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the
registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as
described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security
will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global
security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders of the securities under the indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global
security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered
global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of
the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any
rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing
industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any
action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the
depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants
holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the
participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or
take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners holding through them.
Principal,
premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a
registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee
will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee
or any other agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial
ownership interests.
We expect
that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global
security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other
distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that
registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that
registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also
expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a
registered global security held through participants will be governed by
standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with
the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those
participants.
If the
depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global
security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases
to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor
depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not
appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in
exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the
depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the
depositary gives to the trustee or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is
expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions
received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of
beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the
depositary.
Unless we
state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)
will act as depositary for each series of debt securities issued as global
securities. DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is
also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect
Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect
Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests
in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the
Participants and the Indirect Participants.
Governing
Law
The
indenture and each series of debt securities are governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
The
following description, together with the additional information we may include
in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and
provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the
related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms
summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will
describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the
applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus
supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement
may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant
agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that
includes this prospectus.
General
We may
issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt
securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently
or together with common stock, preferred stock and debt securities, and the
warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.
We will
evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue
under a separate agreement. We may enter into a warrant agreement
with a warrant agent. If we engage a warrant agent, each warrant
agent will be a bank that we select which has its principal office in the United
States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. We
will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
Before
exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights
of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise,
including:
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in
the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive
payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt
securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the
applicable indenture; or
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in
the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the
right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if
any.
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Additional
Information
We will
describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of
warrants, including:
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the
offering price and aggregate number of warrants
offered;
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the
currency for which the warrants may be
purchased;
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if
applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the
warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such
security or each principal amount of such
security;
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if
applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related
securities will be separately
transferable;
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in
the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of
debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at,
and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be
purchased upon such exercise;
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in
the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the
number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be,
purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these
shares may be purchased upon such
exercise;
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the
effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our
business on the warrant agreement and the
warrants;
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the
terms of any rights to redeem or call the
warrants;
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any
provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number
of securities issuable upon exercise of the
warrants;
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the
dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and
expire;
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the
manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be
modified;
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a
discussion on any material or special United States federal income tax
consequences of holding or exercising the
warrants;
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the
terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or
restrictions on the warrants.
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Exercise
of Warrants
Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in
the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in
the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in
the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the
warrants at any time up to 5 p.m., Eastern time, on the expiration date that we
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of
business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become
void.
Holders
of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate
representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information,
and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available
funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will
set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable
prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be
required to deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon
receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed
and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any
other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue
and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer
than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised,
then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of
warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement,
holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise
price for warrants.
Enforceability
of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each
warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant
agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust
with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may
act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant
agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the
applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to
initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon
us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related
warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal
action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon
exercise of, its warrants.
DESCRIPTION
OF UNITS
We may
issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this
prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the
holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the
unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations
of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which
a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be
held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified
date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
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the
designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the
units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may
be held or transferred separately;
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any
provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of
the units or of the securities comprising the
units;
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the
terms of the unit agreement governing the
units;
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United
States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units;
and
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whether
the units will be issued in fully registered global
form.
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This
summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units
in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable
unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary
arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other
documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC
each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions
that may be important to you.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We may
sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly
to one or more purchasers. The accompanying prospectus supplement
will describe the terms of the offering of the securities,
including:
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the
name or names of any underwriters;
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the
purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will
receive from the sale;
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any
over-allotment options pursuant to which underwriters may purchase
additional securities from us;
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any
agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’
or underwriters’ compensation;
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any
public offering price;
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any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
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•
|
any
securities exchange or market on which the securities may be
listed.
|
If
underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their
own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at
the time of the sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase
the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable
underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public
through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by
underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered by the
prospectus supplement. We may change from time to time the public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material
relationship. We will describe such relationships in the prospectus
supplement naming the underwriter and the nature of any such
relationship.
We may
engage in “at the market” offerings of our common stock, which are offerings
into an existing trading market, at other than a fixed price, on or through the
facilities of a national securities exchange or to or through a market maker
otherwise than on an exchange.
We may
sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to
time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of the
securities, and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the
prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states
otherwise, our agent will act on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment.
We may
enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not
covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated
transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in
connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered
by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short
sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged
by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any
related open borrowings of common shares, and may use securities received from
us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings
of common shares. The third party in such sale transactions will be
an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement.
All
securities we offer other than common stock will be new issues of securities
with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a
market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot
guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any
securities.
We may
provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities
related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make
with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage
in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of
business.
Rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of any underwriters
to bid for or purchase securities before the distribution of the securities is
completed. However, underwriters may engage in the following
activities in accordance with the rules:
|
•
|
Stabilizing
transactions — Underwriters may make bids or purchases for the
purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the shares, so long
as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum.
|
|
•
|
Over-allotments and syndicate
covering transactions — Underwriters may sell more shares of our
common stock than the number of shares that they have committed to
purchase in any underwritten offering. This over-allotment
creates a short position for the underwriters. This short
position may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short
sales. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount
not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase
additional shares in any underwritten offering. The
underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising
their over-allotment option or by purchasing shares in the open
market. To determine how they will close the covered short
position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of
shares available for purchase in the open market, as compared to the price
at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment
option. Naked short sales are short sales in excess of the
over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any
naked position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked
short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are
concerned that, in the open market after pricing, there may be downward
pressure on the price of the shares that could adversely affect investors
who purchase shares in the
offering.
|
|
•
|
Penalty bids — If
underwriters purchase shares in the open market in a stabilizing
transaction or syndicate covering transaction, they may reclaim a selling
concession from other underwriters and selling group members who sold
those shares as part of the
offering.
|
Similar
to other purchase transactions, an underwriter’s purchases to cover the
syndicate short sales or to stabilize the market price of our securities may
have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or
preventing or mitigating a decline in the market price of our
securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher
than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The
imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of shares if
it discourages resales of the securities.
If
commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any
time.
In
compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or
FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member
or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the
securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement.
VALIDITY
OF SECURITIES
The
validity of the issuance of the securities offered by this prospectus will be
passed upon for us by Lowenstein Sandler PC, Roseland, New Jersey.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial
statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, have been audited by Holtz
Rubenstein Reminick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as
stated in their report dated March 31, 2010 with respect to their audit of the
balance sheets of NeoStem, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and
2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity
(deficit) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2009, which report appears in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and is incorporated herein by reference,
and has been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The
following documents previously filed by us with the SEC are incorporated in this
registration statement by reference.
|
(a)
|
Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on March
31, 2010.
|
|
(b)
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed
not later than April 30, 2010.
|
|
(c)
|
Current
Reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto filed on November 4, 2009 (as
amended on January 5, 2010), January 7, 2010, February 12, 2010, February
19, 2010, March 16, 2010 (as amended on April 6, 2010), March 17, 2010,
March 18, 2010 and April 1, 2010 (excluding any information deemed
furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on
Form 8-K).
|
|
(d)
|
Description
of our units, common stock and Class A warrants contained in the
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, declared effective on August 8, 2007
(including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of
updating such description).
|
All
reports and other documents that we file pursuant to Section 13(a) and 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which
deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a apart hereof from the
date of filing of such reports and documents.
We will
provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is
delivered, copies of these filings, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has
been specifically incorporated by reference in such filings, at no cost, upon
written or oral request made to:
NeoStem,
Inc.
420
Lexington Avenue, Suite 450
New York,
NY 10170
Catherine
M. Vaczy, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel
(212)
584-4180
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have
filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus omits
some information and exhibits included in the registration statement, copies of
which may be obtained upon payment of a fee prescribed by the Commission or may
be examined free of charge at the principal office of the SEC in Washington,
D.C.
We are
subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. The reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by us with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference
Room maintained by the SEC at 100 Fifth Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. Copies of filings can be obtained from the Public Reference
Room maintained by the SEC by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In
addition, the Commission maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and
informational statements and other information filed electronically with the SEC
at http://www.sec.gov.
You may
request, orally or in writing, a copy of these documents, which will be provided
to you at no cost, by contacting Catherine M. Vaczy, Esq., Vice President and
General Counsel, NeoStem, Inc., 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 450, New York, NY
10170, telephone (212) 584-4180.
You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including
information incorporated by reference as described above, or any prospectus
supplement that we have specifically referred you to. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You
should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those
documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any
date other than its filing date. You should not consider this
prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any
jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities
is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this
prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the
person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is
unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The
following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection
with the registration of the securities being registered hereby, all of which
will be borne by us. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC
registration fee.
SEC
registration fee
|
|
$ |
3,209 |
|
Transfer
agent’s and trustee’s fees and expenses
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Printing
and engraving expenses
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Legal
fees and expenses
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Accounting
fees and expenses
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
Total
expenses
|
|
$ |
55,000 |
|
Item
15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our
certificate of incorporation eliminates the personal liability of our directors
for monetary damages arising from a breach of their fiduciary duty as directors
to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. This limitation does
not affect the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief or
rescission. Our certificate of incorporation also requires us to
indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
law, including in circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise
discretionary under Delaware law.
Under
Delaware law, we may indemnify our directors or officers or other persons who
were, are or are threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a
proceeding because the person is or was our director, officer, employee or
agent, if we determine that the person:
•
conducted himself or herself in good faith,
•
reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity as
our director or officer, that his or her conduct was in our best interests, and,
in all other cases, that his or her conduct was at least not opposed to our best
interests, and
•
in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that
his or her conduct was unlawful.
These
persons may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines, including excise taxes, and amounts paid in settlement,
actually and reasonably incurred, by the person in connection with the
proceeding. If the person is found liable to the corporation, no indemnification
shall be made unless the court in which the action was brought determines that
the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity in an amount that the
court will establish.
We have
entered into indemnification agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, General Counsel, certain other employees and each of our
directors pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify such party to the full
extent permitted by law, subject to certain exceptions, if such party becomes
subject to an action because such party is a our director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary.
We have
obtained liability insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers which
provides coverage for losses of directors and officers for liabilities arising
out of claims against such persons acting as directors or officers of our
company (or any subsidiary thereof) due to any breach of duty, neglect, error,
misstatement, misleading statement, omission or act done by such directors and
officers, except as prohibited by law.
Item
16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description
|
1.1
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities*
|
1.2
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities*
|
4.1.1
|
|
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with Certificate of Designations
for Series D Preferred Stock as Certified June 23, 2009 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3(i)(a) to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.
333-159282).)
|
4.1.2
|
|
Certificate
of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
NeoStem, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
on October 30, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6,
2009.)
|
4.1.3
|
|
Certificate
of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
NeoStem, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
on October 30, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6,
2009.)
|
4.1.4
|
|
Certificate
of Designations of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 30, 2009
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2009.)
|
4.1.5
|
|
Certificate
of Merger, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
October 30, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6,
2009).
|
4.2
|
|
Amended
and Restated By-Laws dated August 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3(ii)(a) 4 of Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-k filed on
August 1, 2006.)
|
4.3
|
|
Form
of Underwriters’ Warrant dated August 14, 2007 (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for
the quarter ended September 30, 2007.)
|
4.4
|
|
Form
of Underwriter Warrant Clarification Agreement among the Registrant and
certain members of its Underwriting Group (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(b) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2008.)
|
4.5
|
|
Form
of Class A Warrant Agreement and Certificate from August 2007
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to the Registrant’s to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A
(File No. 333-142923).)
|
4.6
|
|
Form
of Warrant Clarification Agreement between the Registrant and Continental
Stock Transfer and Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(d) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2008.)
|
4.7
|
|
Form
of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 31, 2005.)
|
4.8
|
|
Restated
Warrant Agreement dated August 14, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(f) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the
quarter ended September 30, 2007.)
|
4.9
|
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated June 2, 2006, between the Registrant and certain
investors listed therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 2,
2006.)
|
4.10
|
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant from June
2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 2, 2006.)
|
4.11
|
|
Form
of Phase III Medical, Inc. Registration Rights Agreement from July/August
2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on S-1 (File No.
333-137045).)
|
4.12
|
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock from July/August 2006
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on S-1 (File No. 333-137045).)
|
4.13
|
|
Form
of Redeemable Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
from January/February 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(k) to
the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 26,
2007.)
|
4.14
|
|
Form
of Non-Redeemable Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the
Registrant from January/February 2007 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(l) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January
26, 2007.)
|
4.15
|
|
Form
of Redeemable Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
from May 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(m) to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 20,
2008.)
|
4.16
|
|
Form
of Redeemable Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
issued to RimAsia Capital Partners L.P. in September 2008 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(n) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K,
dated August 28, 2008.)
|
4.17
|
|
Letter
Agreement dated December 18, 2008 between the Registrant and RimAsia
Capital Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(o) to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008.)
|
4.18
|
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant from
October 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(p) to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008.)
|
4.19
|
|
Form
of Redeemable Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of NeoStem, Inc.
from November 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(q) to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008.)
|
4.20
|
|
Form
of Warrant issued in connection with April and July 2009 private
placements (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(s) to the Registrant’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.)
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(n) to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 2009.)
|
4.21
|
|
Form
of Common Stock Certificate*
|
4.22
|
|
Form
of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Stock*
|
4.23
|
|
Form
of Preferred Stock Certificate*
|
4.24
|
|
Form
of Debt Security*
|
4.25
|
|
Form
of Trust Indenture
|
4.26
|
|
Form
of Warrant Agreement*
|
4.27
|
|
Form
of Warrant Certificate*
|
4.28
|
|
Form
of Unit Agreement*
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion
of Lowenstein Sandler PC as to the legality of the
securities
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of Lowenstein Sandler PC (included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
25.1
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (for Debt Securities)**
|
25.2
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (for Subordinated Debt Securities)**
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
To
be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by
reference herein in connection an offering of the offered
securities.
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
Where
applicable, to be incorporated by reference to a subsequent filing in
accordance with Section 305 (b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
|
Item
17. Undertakings.
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 this 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 this registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
the 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% change in
the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of
Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to
such information in this registration statement; provided, however, that
paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above 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) If
the registrants are relying on Rule 430B,
(A) 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
(B) 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 prior to such effective date;
or
(ii) If
the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than
registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in
reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the
registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness;
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 first use, 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
prior to such date of first use.
(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
registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the 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 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 an undersigned registrant or its
securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant;
and
|
|
(iv)
|
Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an
undersigned registrant to the
purchaser.
|
(6) 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 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.
(7) 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
(the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the
Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
(8) If
this registration statement is permitted by Rule 430A, that:
(i) For
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(ii) For
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
(9) 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 forgoing 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 Act and is,
therefor, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
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 Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
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, New York, New York, on April 19, 2010.
NEOSTEM,
INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Robin L. Smith, M.D.
|
|
Robin
L. Smith, M.D.
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robin L. Smith, M.D.
|
|
Director,
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
April
19, 2010
|
Robin
L. Smith, M.D.
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Larry A. May
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
|
|
April
19, 2010
|
Larry
A. May
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christopher C. Duignan
|
|
Vice
President, Finance (Principal
|
|
April
19, 2010
|
Christopher
C. Duignan
|
|
Accounting
Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Richard Berman
|
|
Director
|
|
April
19, 2010
|
Richard
Berman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Steven S. Myers
|
|
Director
|
|
April
13, 2010
|
Steven
S. Myers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Drew Bernstein
|
|
Director
|
|
April
14, 2010
|
Drew
Bernstein
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Eric Wei
|
|
Director
|
|
April
13, 2010
|
Eric
Wei
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
|
|
Director
|
|
April
19, 2010
|
Edward
C. Geehr, M.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Shi Mingsheng
|
|
Director
|
|
April
18, 2010
|
Shi
Mingsheng
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
4.25
NEOSTEM,
INC.
and
_______________________________,
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated
as of ___________, 20__
Providing
for the Issuance of Debt Securities
CROSS-REFERENCE
TABLE*
Trust
Indenture
Act
Section
|
|
Indenture
Section
|
310
(a)(1)
|
|
N.A.
|
(a)(2)
|
|
6.13
|
(a)(3)
|
|
6.13
|
(a)(4)
|
|
N.A.
|
(a)(5)
|
|
7.01
|
(b)
|
|
7.02
|
(c)
|
|
7.02
|
311
(a)
|
|
7.03
|
(b)
|
|
7.03
|
(c)
|
|
7.03
|
312
(a)
|
|
7.03
|
(b)
|
|
7.04;
1.02
|
(c)
|
|
1.02
|
313 (a)
|
|
1.02
|
(b)(2)
|
|
N.A.
|
(c)
|
|
1.02
|
(d)
|
|
N.A.
|
314 (a)
|
|
6.01
|
(c)(1)
|
|
6.02;
1.06
|
(c)(2)
|
|
6.01
|
(c)(3)
|
|
6.01
|
(e)
|
|
5.14
|
(f)
|
|
1.01
|
315 (a)
|
|
5.12
|
(b)
|
|
5.02
|
(c)
|
|
N.A.
|
(d)
|
|
5.08
|
(e)
|
|
3.07
|
316 (a)(last
sentence)
|
|
5.03
|
(a)(1)(A)
|
|
5.04
|
(a)(1)(B)
|
|
4.06
|
(a)(2)
|
|
1.07
|
(b)
|
|
N.A.
|
(c)
|
|
1.07
|
N.A.
means not applicable
* This
Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL
APPLICATION
|
1
|
|
|
|
Section
1.01
|
Definitions
|
1
|
Section
1.02
|
Officers’
Certificates and Opinions
|
6
|
Section
1.03
|
Form
of Documents Delivered to Trustee
|
6
|
Section
1.04
|
Acts
of Securityholders.
|
6
|
Section
1.05
|
Notices,
etc., to Trustee and Company
|
7
|
Section
1.06
|
Notice
To Securityholders; Waiver
|
7
|
Section
1.07
|
Conflict
with Trust Indenture Act
|
8
|
Section
1.08
|
Effect
of Headings and Table of Contents
|
8
|
Section
1.09
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
8
|
Section
1.10
|
Separability
Clause
|
8
|
Section
1.11
|
Benefits
of Indenture
|
8
|
Section
1.12
|
Governing
Law
|
8
|
Section
1.13
|
Counterparts
|
8
|
Section
1.14
|
Judgment
Currency
|
8
|
Section
1.15
|
Legal
Holidays
|
8
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
II SECURITY FORMS
|
9
|
|
|
|
Section
2.01
|
Forms
Generally
|
9
|
Section
2.02
|
Forms
of Securities
|
9
|
Section
2.03
|
Securities
in Global Form
|
9
|
Section
2.04
|
Form
of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
|
9
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
III THE SECURITIES
|
9
|
|
|
|
Section
3.01
|
General
Title; General Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular
Series.
|
9
|
Section
3.02
|
Denominations
and Currency
|
12
|
Section
3.03
|
Execution,
Authentication and Delivery, and Dating
|
12
|
Section
3.04
|
Temporary
Securities
|
14
|
Section
3.05
|
Registration,
Transfer and Exchange
|
14
|
Section
3.06
|
Mutilated,
Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
|
16
|
Section
3.07
|
Payment
of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved
|
16
|
Section
3.08
|
Persons
Deemed Owners
|
17
|
Section
3.09
|
Cancellation.
|
17
|
Section
3.10
|
Computation
of Interest
|
17
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
|
18
|
|
|
|
Section
4.01
|
Satisfaction
and Discharge of Indenture
|
18
|
Section
4.02
|
Discharge
and Defeasance
|
19
|
Section
4.03
|
Covenant
Defeasance
|
19
|
Section
4.04
|
Conditions
To Defeasance Or Covenant Defeasance
|
19
|
Section
4.05
|
Application
of Trust Money; Excess Funds
|
20
|
Section
4.06
|
Paying
Agent to Repay Moneys Held
|
21
|
Section
4.07
|
Return
of Unclaimed Amounts
|
21
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
V ARTICLE V REMEDIES
|
21
|
|
|
|
Section
5.01
|
Events
of Default
|
21
|
Section
5.02
|
Acceleration
of Maturity; Rescission, and Annulment
|
22
|
Section
5.03
|
Collection
of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
|
23
|
Section
5.04
|
Trustee
May File Proofs of Claim
|
23
|
Section
5.05
|
Trustee
May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
|
24
|
Section
5.06
|
Application
of Money Collected
|
24
|
Section
5.07
|
Limitation
on Suits
|
24
|
Section
5.08
|
Unconditional
Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium, and
Interest
|
25
|
Section
5.09
|
Restoration
of Rights and Remedies
|
25
|
Section
5.10
|
Rights
and Remedies Cumulative
|
25
|
Section
5.11
|
Delay
or Omission Not Waiver
|
25
|
Section
5.12
|
Control
by Securityholders
|
25
|
Section
5.13
|
Waiver
of Past Defaults
|
25
|
Section
5.14
|
Undertaking
for Costs
|
26
|
Section
5.15
|
Waiver
of Stay or Extension Laws
|
26
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VI THE TRUSTEE
|
26
|
|
|
|
Section
6.01
|
Certain
Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
|
26
|
Section
6.02
|
Notice
of Defaults
|
27
|
Section
6.03
|
Certain
Rights of Trustee
|
27
|
Section
6.04
|
Not
Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
|
27
|
Section
6.05
|
May
Hold Securities
|
28
|
Section
6.06
|
Money
Held in Trust
|
28
|
Section
6.07
|
Compensation
and Reimbursement
|
28
|
Section
6.08
|
Disqualification;
Conflicting Interests
|
28
|
Section
6.09
|
Corporate
Trustee Required; Eligibility
|
28
|
Section
6.10
|
Resignation
and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
|
29
|
Section
6.11
|
Acceptance
of Appointment by Successor
|
30
|
Section
6.12
|
Merger,
Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
|
30
|
Section
6.13
|
Preferential
Collection of Claims Against Company
|
30
|
Section
6.14
|
Appointment
of Authenticating Agent
|
31
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VII SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND
COMPANY
|
31
|
|
|
|
Section
7.01
|
Company
to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders
|
31
|
Section
7.02
|
Preservation
of Information; Communications to Securityholders.
|
32
|
Section
7.03
|
Reports
by Trustee.
|
33
|
Section
7.04
|
Reports
by Company
|
33
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VIII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR
TRANSFER
|
33
|
|
|
|
Section
8.01
|
Company
May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms
|
33
|
Section
8.02
|
Successor
Corporation Substituted
|
34
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
|
34
|
|
|
|
Section
9.01
|
Supplemental
Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders
|
34
|
Section
9.02
|
Supplemental
Indentures With Consent of Securityholders
|
35
|
Section
9.03
|
Execution
of Supplemental Indentures
|
36
|
Section
9.04
|
Effect
of Supplemental Indentures
|
36
|
Section
9.05
|
Conformity
With Trust Indenture Act
|
36
|
Section
9.06
|
Reference
in Securities to Supplemental Indentures
|
36
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
X COVENANTS
|
36
|
|
|
|
Section
10.01
|
Payment
of Principal, Premium and Interest
|
36
|
Section
10.02
|
Maintenance
of Office or Agency
|
36
|
Section
10.03
|
Money
or Security Payments to Be Held in Trust
|
37
|
Section
10.04
|
Certificate
to Trustee
|
37
|
Section
10.05
|
Corporate
Existence
|
37
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XI REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
|
37
|
|
|
|
Section
11.01
|
Applicability
of Article
|
37
|
Section
11.02
|
Election
to Redeem; Notice to Trustee
|
38
|
Section
11.03
|
Selection
by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed
|
38
|
Section
11.04
|
Notice
of Redemption
|
38
|
Section
11.05
|
Deposit
of Redemption Price
|
39
|
Section
11.06
|
Securities
Payable on Redemption Date
|
39
|
Section
11.07
|
Securities
Redeemed in Part
|
39
|
Section
11.08
|
Provisions
with Respect to any Sinking Funds
|
39
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XII REPAYMENT AT OPTION OF HOLDERS
|
40
|
|
|
|
Section
12.01
|
Applicability
of Article
|
40
|
Section
12.02
|
Repayment
of Securities
|
40
|
Section
12.03
|
Exercise
of Option
|
40
|
Section
12.04
|
When
Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable
|
41
|
Section
12.05
|
Securities
Repaid in Part
|
41
|
THIS
INDENTURE, between NeoStem, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the
“Company”) having its
principal office at 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 450, New York, New York 10170,
and, [ ], a [ ] as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), is made and entered
into as of this [ ] day of [ ],
20[ ].
Recitals
of the Company
The
Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to
provide for the issuance of its unsecured debentures, notes, bonds, and other
evidences of indebtedness, to be issued in one or more fully registered
series.
All
things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in
accordance with its terms, have been done.
Agreements
of the Parties
To set
forth or to provide for the establishment of the terms and conditions upon which
the Securities (as hereinafter defined) are and are to be authenticated, issued,
and delivered, and in consideration of the premises thereof, and the purchase of
Securities by the Holders (as hereinafter defined) thereof, it is mutually
covenanted and agreed as follows, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all
Holders from time to time of the Securities or of any series thereof, as the
case may be:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section
1.01 Definitions. For
all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto, except
as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) the
terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this
Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all
other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as
hereinafter defined), either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
assigned to them therein;
(c) all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, except as
otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting
principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder
shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United
States of America at the date of such computation; and
(d) all
references in this instrument to designated “Articles”, “Sections” and other
subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of
this instrument as originally executed. The words “herein”, “hereof”, and
“hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole
and not to any particular Article, Section, or other subdivision.
(e) the
following terms will have the meanings set forth below:
“Act”, when used with respect
to any Securityholder (as hereinafter defined), has the meaning specified in
Section 1.04.
“Affiliate” of any specified
Person (as hereinafter defined) means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used
with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management
and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; and the terms
“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
“Authenticating Agent” means
any Person authorized by the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more
series under Section 6.14.
“Authentication Order” has the
meaning specified in Section 3.03.
“Board of Directors” means (i)
the board of directors of the Company, (ii) any duly authorized committee of
that board, or (iii) any officer, director, or authorized representative of the
Company, in each case duly authorized by such Board to act
hereunder.
“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 such certification, and delivered to the
Trustee.
“Capital Stock” means, with
respect to any Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares,
interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) of
such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible or
exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants or options to purchase any
thereof.
“Commission” means the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties on such date.
“Company” means NeoStem, Inc.,
unless and until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such
successor corporation.
“Company Request”, “Company Order”, and “Company Consent” mean,
respectively, a written request, order, or consent signed in the name of the
Company by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer,
the chief financial officer, the treasurer, the controller, or by any other
officer or officers of the Company pursuant to an applicable Board Resolution,
and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means
the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust
business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is
located at
[ ].
“Corporation” means a
corporation, association, company, joint-stock company, limited liability
company or business trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the
meaning specified in Section 4.03.
“Defaulted Interest” has the
meaning specified in Section 3.07.
“Defeasance” has the meaning
specified in Section 4.02.
“Depositary” means with respect
to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global
form, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section
3.01, unless and until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary ” shall
mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any
time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary ” as used with respect to
the Securities of any such series shall mean the “Depositary ” with
respect to the Securities of that series.
“Equivalent Government
Securities” means, in relation to Securities denominated in a currency
other than U.S. dollars, securities of the government that issued the currency
in which such Securities are denominated or securities of government agencies
backed by the full faith and credit of such government.
“Event of Default” has the
meaning specified in Article 5.
“Holder”, “Securityholder” and “Holder of Securities” means a
Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register (as
hereinafter defined).
“Indebtedness” with respect to
any Person means (1) any liability of such Person (a) for borrowed money, or (b)
evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including purchase
money obligations but excluding Trade Payables), or (c) for the payment of money
relating to a lease that is required to be classified as a capitalized lease
obligation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (2)
mandatorily redeemable preferred or preference stock of a Subsidiary held by
Persons other than the Company or a Subsidiary; (3) any liability of others
described in the preceding clause (1) that such Person has guaranteed, that is
recourse to such Person or that is otherwise such Person’s legal liability; and
(4) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or
refunding of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3)
above.
“Indenture” or “this Indenture” means this
instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented
or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant
to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of any
particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section
3.01.
“Interest Payment Date”, when
used with respect to any series of Securities, means any date on which an
installment of interest on those Securities is scheduled to be
paid.
“Maturity”, when used with
respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal amount
outstanding under such Security or an installment of principal amount
outstanding under such Security becomes due and payable, as therein or herein
provided, whether on the Scheduled Maturity Date (as hereinafter defined), by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.
“New York Business Day” means
(except, with respect to any particular series of Securities, as may be
otherwise provided in the form of such Securities) any day other than a Saturday
or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation, or executive order
to be closed.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a
certificate signed by any two of the chairman of the Board of Directors, the
chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or by
any other officer or officers of the Company pursuant to an applicable Board
Resolution, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a
written opinion of counsel to the Company, which counsel may be an employee of
the Company or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.
“Original Issue Discount
Security” means any Security which is initially sold at a discount from
the principal amount thereof and the terms of which provide that upon redemption
or acceleration of the Maturity thereof, an amount less than the principal
amount thereof would become due and payable.
“Outstanding”, when used with
respect to any particular Securities or to the Securities of any particular
series means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) such
Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered by the Company to
the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) such
Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited in trust with the Trustee or
with any Paying Agent (as hereinafter defined) other than the Company, or, if
the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, has been set aside and segregated
in trust by the Company; provided, in any case, that if such Securities are to
be redeemed prior to their Scheduled Maturity Date, notice of such redemption
has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor
satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(c) such
Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, or which shall have been
paid, in each case, pursuant to the terms of Section 3.06 (except with respect
to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented
that such Security is held by a Person in whose hands such Security is a legal,
valid, and binding obligation of the Company).
In
determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such
Securities Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of any Original Issue
Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such
determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof. In
determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such
Securities Outstanding have given a direction concerning the time, method, and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
concerning the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under
this Indenture, or concerning a consent on behalf of the Holders of any series
of Securities to the waiver of any past default and its consequences, Securities
owned by the Company, any other obligor upon the Securities, or any Affiliate of
the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding. In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or
waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer assigned to the corporate
trust department of the Trustee knows to be owned by the Company or any other
obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other
obligor shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in
good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act as owner with respect to
such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor
upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other
obligor.
“Paying Agent” means, with
respect to any Securities, any Person appointed by the Company to distribute
amounts payable by the Company on such Securities. If at any time there shall be
more than one such Person, “Paying Agent” as used with respect to the Securities
of any particular series shall mean the Paying Agent with respect to Securities
of that series. As of the date of this Indenture, the Company has appointed
[ ] as Paying Agent with respect to all Securities issuable
hereunder.
“Person” means any individual,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, or government, or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment” means with
respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder the city or political
subdivision so designated with respect to the series of Securities in question
in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01.
“Predecessor Securities” of any
particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of
the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the
purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under
Section 3.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated, or stolen Security shall
be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed, mutilated, or stolen
Security.
“Record Date” means any date as
of which the Holder of a Security will be determined for any purpose described
herein, such determination to be made as of the close of business on such date
by reference to the Security Register.
“Redemption Date”, when used
with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such
redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price”, when used
with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the
Security at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Repayment Date”, when used
with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the date fixed for such
repayment pursuant to such Security.
“Repayment Price”, when used
with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the price at which it is to be
repaid pursuant to such Security.
“Responsible Officer”, when
used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer or assistant officer of
the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office, having direct responsibility for the
administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred
because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
“Scheduled Maturity Date”, when
used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as
the date on which all outstanding principal and interest will be due and
payable.
“Security” or “Securities” means any note or
notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of
indebtedness, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered from
time to time under this Indenture.
“Security Register” shall have
the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Security Registrar” means the
Person who maintains the Security Register, which Person shall be the Trustee
unless and until a successor Security Registrar is appointed by the
Company.
“Senior Indebtedness” means all
obligations or indebtedness of, or guaranteed or assumed by, the Company,
whether or not represented by bonds, debentures notes or similar instruments,
for borrowed money, and any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and
refundings of any such obligations or indebtedness, unless in the instrument
creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or obligations or pursuant to which
the same is outstanding it is specifically stated, at or prior to the time the
Company becomes liable in respect thereof, that any such obligation or
indebtedness or such amendment, renewal, extension, modification and refunding
thereof is not Senior Indebtedness.
“Significant Subsidiary” means
each Subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in
Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X, as amended or modified and in effect from
time to time.
“Special Record Date” for the
payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to
Section 3.07.
“Specified Currency” has the
meaning specified in Section 3.01.
“Subsidiary” means any
corporation, partnership or other entity of which at the time of determination
the Company owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares
of voting stock or equivalent interest.
“Trade Payables” means accounts
payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors
created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
obtaining of materials, finished products, inventory or services.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as in force as of the date hereof, except as provided in Section
9.05.
“Trustee” means the party named
as such above until a successor becomes such pursuant to this Indenture and
thereafter means or includes each party who is then a trustee hereunder, and if
at any time there is more than one such party, “Trustee” as used with respect to
the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of
that series. If Trustees with respect to different series of Securities are
trustees under this Indenture, nothing herein shall constitute the Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust, and each Trustee shall be the trustee of a trust
separate and apart from any trust administered by any other Trustee with respect
to a different series of Securities.
“U.S. Government Obligations”
means (i) securities that are direct obligations of the United States of
America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith
and credit of the United States of America and (ii) securities that are
obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of
America, and also includes depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company
as custodian with respect to any of the securities described in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii), and any payment of interest or principal payable under any
of the securities described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) that is held
by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt,
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt, or from any amount received by the custodian in respect of such
securities, or from any specific payment of interest or principal payable under
the securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Voting Stock”, as applied to
the stock of any corporation, means stock of any class or classes (however
designated), the outstanding shares of which have, by the terms thereof,
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the members of the board of
directors (or other governing body) of such corporation, other than stock having
such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency.
Section
1.02 Officers’ Certificates and
Opinions. Every Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, and
other certificate or opinion to be delivered to the Trustee under this Indenture
with respect to any action to be taken by the Trustee (except for the Officers’
Certificate required by Section 10.04) shall include the following:
(a) a
statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read all
covenants and conditions of this Indenture relating to such proposed action,
including the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation
upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion
are based;
(c) a
statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, 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 such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and
(d) a
statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition
or covenant has been complied with.
Section
1.03 Form of Documents Delivered
to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to
be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not
necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of,
only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one
document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to
some matters and one or more other such Persons as to the other matters, and any
such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several
documents.
Any
certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it
relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations
by, legal counsel, unless such officer knows that any such certificate, opinion,
or representation is erroneous. Any opinion of counsel for the Company may be
based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion
of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company, unless such
counsel knows that any such certificate, opinion, or representation is
erroneous.
Where any
Person is required to make, give, or execute two or more applications, requests,
consents, certificates, statements, opinions, or other instruments under this
Indenture, such instruments may, but need not, be consolidated and form a single
instrument.
Section
1.04 Acts of
Securityholders.
(a) Any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other
action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Securityholders may be
embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such Securityholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in
writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall
become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the
Trustee and (if expressly required by the applicable terms of this Indenture) to
the Company. If any Securities are denominated in coin or currency other than
that of the United States, then for the purposes of determining whether the
Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have taken any action as
herein described, the principal amount of such Securities shall be deemed to be
that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such principal
amount on the basis of the spot rate of exchange into United States dollars for
the currency in which such Securities are denominated (as evidenced to the
Trustee by a certificate provided by a financial institution, selected by the
Company, that maintains an active trade in the currency in question, acting as
conversion agent) as of the date the taking of such action by the Holders of
such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in the
immediately preceding sentence. Such instrument or instruments (and the action
embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the
“Act” of the Securityholders
signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of
the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this
Section.
(b) The
fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing
may be proved by the affidavit of a witness to such execution or by the
certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such
corporation or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute
sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any
such instrument or writing, or the authority of the person executing the same,
may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems
sufficient.
(c) The
ownership of Securities shall for all purposes be determined by reference to the
Security Register, as such register shall exist as of the applicable
date.
(d) If
the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its
option, by Board Resolution, fix in advance a Record Date for the determination
of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no
obligation to do so. If such Record Date is fixed, such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given
before or after such Record Date, but only the Holders of record at the close of
business on such Record Date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of
determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Securities
Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that
purpose the Securities Outstanding shall be computed as of such Record Date;
provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such
Record Date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant
to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after such Record
Date.
(e) Any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action by the Holder of any Security shall bind each subsequent Holder of such
Security, and each Holder of any Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, with respect to
anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance
upon such action, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.
Section
1.05 Notices, etc., to Trustee
and Company. Any request, order, authorization, direction,
consent, waiver, or other action to be taken by the Trustee, the Company, or the
Securityholders hereunder (including any Authentication Order), and any notice
to be given to the Trustee or the Company with respect to any action taken or to
be taken by the Trustee, the Company, or the Securityholders hereunder, shall be
sufficient if made in writing and
(a) (if
to be furnished or delivered to or filed with the Trustee by the Company or any
Securityholder) delivered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office,
Attention:
[ ],
or
(b) (if
to be furnished or delivered to the Company by the Trustee or any
Securityholder, and except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(d) and, in the
case of a request for repayment, except as specified in the Security carrying
the right to repayment) mailed to the Company, first-class postage prepaid, at
its principal office (as specified in the first paragraph of this instrument),
Attention:
[ ],
or at any other address hereafter furnished in writing by the Company to the
Trustee.
Section
1.06 Notice To Securityholders;
Waiver. Where this Indenture or any Security provides for
notice to Securityholders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given
(unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in such Security) if in writing
and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder affected by such
event, at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register as of the
applicable Record Date, not later than the latest date or earlier than the
earliest date prescribed by this Indenture or such Security for the giving of
such notice. In any case where notice to Securityholders is given by mail,
neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed
to any particular Securityholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice
with respect to other Securityholders. Where this Indenture or any Security
provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the
Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and
such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by
Securityholders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a
condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such
waiver.
In case,
by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike,
work stoppage or otherwise, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event
to any Securityholder when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any
provision of this Indenture or the applicable Security, then any method of
notification as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall be
deemed to be sufficient for the giving of such notice.
Section
1.07 Conflict with Trust
Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or
conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this
Indenture by any of the provisions of the TIA, such required provision shall
control.
Section
1.08 Effect of Headings and Table
of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the
Table of Contents hereof are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction of any provision of this Indenture.
Section
1.09 Successors and
Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the
Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or
not.
Section
1.10 Separability
Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the
Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.
Section
1.11 Benefits of
Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities,
express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto,
their successors hereunder, the Authenticating Agent, the Security Registrar,
any Paying Agent, and the Holders of Securities (or such of them as may be
affected thereby), any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under this Indenture.
Section
1.12 Governing
Law. This Indenture shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Section
1.13 Counterparts. This
instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section
1.14 Judgment
Currency. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it
may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of
obtaining judgment in any court with respect to the Securities of any series it
is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal, premium, if
any, or interest, if any, payable with respect to such Securities into a
currency in which a judgment can be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate
of exchange from the currency in which payments under such Securities is payable
(the “Required
Currency”) into the Judgment Currency shall be the highest bid quotation
(assuming European-style quotation — i.e., Required Currency per
Judgment Currency) received by the Company from three recognized foreign
exchange dealers in the City of New York for the purchase of the aggregate
amount of the judgment (as denominated in the Judgment Currency) on the New York
Business Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is
rendered, for settlement on such payment date, and at which the applicable
dealer timely commits to execute a contract, and (b) the Company’s obligations
under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be
discharged or satisfied by any tender, or by any recovery pursuant to any
judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with the preceding clause (a)),
in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such
tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt by the judgment creditor
of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect
of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional
cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the
amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount
of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be
affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this
Indenture.
Section
1.15 Legal
Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Maturity of any Security shall not be a New
York Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other
provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest or
principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on
such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of
Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Repayment Date or at Maturity, provided that no interest shall
accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Maturity, as the case may
be.
ARTICLE
II
SECURITY
FORMS
Section
2.01 Forms
Generally. The Securities of each series shall have such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are
required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or
other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon,
as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange, or as
may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such
Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. Any portion of
the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an
appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.
The
definitive Securities, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or
produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may be
produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange,
all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by
their execution of such Securities.
Section
2.02 Forms of
Securities. Each Security shall be in one of the forms
approved from time to time by or pursuant to any Board Resolution, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the delivery
to the Trustee for authentication of any Security in any form approved by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a copy
of such Board Resolution, together with a true and correct copy of the form of
Security which has been approved thereby, or, if a Board Resolution authorizes a
specific officer or officers to approve a form of Security, together with a
certificate of such officer or officers approving the form of Security attached
thereto, provided,
however, that with
respect to all Securities issued pursuant to the same Board Resolution, the
required copy of such Board Resolution, together with the appropriate
attachment, need be delivered only once. Any form of Security approved by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution must be acceptable as to form to the Trustee,
such acceptance to be evidenced by the Trustee’s authentication of Securities in
that form or by a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and
delivered to the Company.
Section
2.03 Securities in Global
Form. If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in
part in global form, the global security representing such Securities may
provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities
from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate
amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be
reduced to reflect exchanges or increased to reflect the issuance of additional
Securities. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount
(or any increase or decrease in the amount) of Outstanding Securities
represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons
as shall be specified therein or in the Authentication Order delivered to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof.
Section
2.04 Form of Trustee’s
Certificate of Authentication. The form of Trustee’s
Certificate of Authentication for any Security issued pursuant to this Indenture
shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is
one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.
[ ],
as Trustee,
By:
Authorized
Officer:
ARTICLE
III
THE
SECURITIES
Section
3.01 General Title; General
Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular
Series.
(a) The
aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated, delivered,
and Outstanding at any time under this Indenture is not limited.
(b) The
Securities may be issued in one or more series in such aggregate principal
amount as may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors. All
Securities of a series issued under this Indenture shall in all respects be
equally and ratably entitled to the benefits hereof, without preference,
priority, or distinction on account of the actual time of the authentication and
delivery or Scheduled Maturity Date thereof.
(c) Each
series of Securities shall be created either by or pursuant to one or more Board
Resolutions, by an Officers’ Certificate or by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto. Any such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture (or, in
the case of a series of Securities created pursuant to a Board Resolution, any
officer or officers authorized by such Board Resolution) shall establish the
terms of any such series of Securities, including the following (as and to such
extent as may be applicable):
(1) the
title of such series;
(2) the
limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount or issue price of the
Securities of such series;
(3) the
issue date or issue dates of the Securities of such series;
(4) the
Scheduled Maturity Date of the Securities of such series;
(5) the
place or places where the principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, and
additional amounts, if any, payable with respect to the Securities of such
series shall be payable;
(6) whether
the Securities of such series will be issued at par or at a premium over or a
discount from their face amount;
(7) the
rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of such
series shall bear interest, if any, and, if applicable, the method by which such
rate or rates may be determined;
(8) the
date or dates (or the method by which such date or dates may be determined) from
which interest, if any, shall accrue, and the Interest Payment Dates on which
such interest shall be payable;
(9) the
rights, if any, to defer payments of interest on the Securities by extending the
interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;
(10) the
period or periods within which, the Redemption Price(s) or Repayment Price(s) at
which, and any other terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such
series may be redeemed or repaid, in whole or in part, by the
Company;
(11) the
obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay, or purchase any of the
Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption,
purchase obligation, or analogous provision at the option of a Holder thereof,
and the period or periods within which, the Redemption Price(s) or Repayment
Price(s) or other price or prices at which, and any other terms and conditions
upon which the Securities of such series shall be redeemed, repaid, or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(12) the
issuance of the Securities of such series in whole or in part in global form
and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such global security and the
terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in the Securities represented
by such global security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for the
individual Securities represented thereby (if other than as provided in Section
3.05);
(13) whether
such securities are subordinated securities and if so, the provisions for such
subordination;
(14) the
denominations in which the Securities of such series will be issued (which may
be any denomination as set forth in the terms of such Securities) if other than
U.S. $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof;
(15) whether
and under what circumstances additional amounts on the Securities of such series
shall be payable in respect of any taxes, assessments, or other governmental
charges withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the
option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional
amounts;
(16) the
basis upon which interest shall be calculated;
(17) if
the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether
upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security for a definitive
Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other
documents or upon satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of
such certificates, documents, and/or conditions;
(18) the
exchange or conversion of the Securities of that series, whether or not at the
option of the Holders thereof, for or into new Securities of a different series
or for or into any other securities which may include shares of Capital Stock of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or securities directly or
indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares or securities of
entities unaffiliated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company;
(19) if
other than U.S. dollars, the foreign or composite currency or currencies (each
such currency a “Specified
Currency”) in which the Securities of such series shall be denominated
and in which payments of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, or
additional amounts, if any, payable with respect to such Securities shall or may
be payable;
(20) if
the principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, or additional amounts, if any,
payable with respect to the Securities of such series are to be payable in any
currency other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable,
whether at the election of the Company or of a Holder thereof, the period or
periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may
be made;
(21) if
the amount of any payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, or
other sum payable with respect to the Securities of such series may be
determined by reference to the relative value of one or more Specified
Currencies, commodities, securities, or instruments, the level of one or more
financial or non-financial indices, or any other designated factors or formulas,
the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(22) the
exchange of Securities of such series, at the option of the Holders thereof, for
other Securities of the same series of the same aggregate principal amount of a
different authorized kind or different authorized denomination or denominations,
or both;
(23) the
appointment by the Trustee of an Authenticating Agent in one or more places
other than the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, with power to act on
behalf of the Trustee, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and
delivery of the Securities of such series;
(24) any
trustees, depositaries, paying agents, transfer agents, exchange agents,
conversion agents, registrars, or other agents with respect to the Securities of
such series if other than the Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar named
herein;
(25) the
portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series, if other than the
principal amount thereof, that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration
of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or provable in bankruptcy
pursuant to Section 5.04;
(26) any
Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series, if not set forth
herein, or any modification of any Event of Default set forth herein with
respect to such series;
(27) any
covenant solely for the benefit of the Securities of such
series;
(28) the
inapplicability of Section 4.02 and Section 4.03 of this Indenture to the
Securities of such series and if Section 4.03 is applicable, the covenants
subject to Covenant Defeasance under Section 4.03; and
(29) any
other terms of the securities of such series (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, but which may modify or
delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such
series).
If all of
the Securities issuable by or pursuant to any Board Resolution are not to be
issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’
Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 3.03 hereof at the time
of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of
Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first such
Security.
If any
series of Securities shall be established by action taken pursuant to any Board
Resolution, the execution by the officer or officers authorized by such Board
Resolution of an Authentication Order (as defined in Section 3.03 below) with
respect to the first Security of such series to be issued, and the delivery of
such Authentication Order to the Trustee at or before the time of issuance of
the first Security of such series, shall constitute a sufficient record of such
action. Except as otherwise permitted by Section 3.03, if all of the Securities
of any such series are not to be issued at one time, the Company shall deliver
an Authentication Order with respect to each subsequent issuance of Securities
of such series, but such Authentication Orders may be executed by any authorized
officer or officers of the Company, whether or not such officer or officers
would have been authorized to establish such series pursuant to the
aforementioned Board Resolution.
Unless
otherwise provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or supplemental
indenture creating such series, (i) a series may be reopened for issuances of
additional Securities of such series, and (ii) all Securities of the same series
shall be substantially identical, except for the initial Interest Payment Date,
issue price, initial interest accrual date and the amount of the first interest
payment.
The form
of the Securities of each series shall be established in a supplemental
indenture or by or pursuant to the Board Resolution creating such series. The
Securities of each series shall be distinguished from the Securities of each
other series in such manner as the Board of Directors or its authorized
representative or representatives may determine.
Unless
otherwise provided with respect to Securities of a particular series, the
Securities of any series may only be issuable in registered form, without
coupons.
Section
3.02 Denominations and
Currency. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in
such denominations and currency as shall be provided in the provisions of this
Indenture or by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture
creating such series. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the
Securities of any series, the Securities of that series shall be issuable only
in fully registered form in denominations of U.S. $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof.
Section
3.03 Execution, Authentication
and Delivery, and Dating. The Securities shall be executed on
behalf of the Company by the president, any vice president, the treasurer or any
assistant treasurer and attested by the secretary or any one of its assistant
secretaries, under its corporate seal. The signature of any of these officers on
the Securities may be manual or facsimile. The seal of the Company, if set forth
thereon, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed,
affixed, imprinted, or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. Typographical and
other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such
signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that
has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
Unless
otherwise provided in the form of Security for any series, all Securities shall
be dated the date of their authentication.
Securities
bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time
the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that
such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the
authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at
the date of such Securities.
At any
time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture,
the Company may deliver Securities to the Trustee for authentication, together
with a Company Order for authentication and delivery (such Order an “Authentication Order”) with
respect to such Securities, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of such
Authentication Order, in accordance with procedures acceptable to the Trustee
set forth in the Authentication Order, and subject to the provisions hereof,
authenticate and deliver such Securities to such recipients as may be specified
from time to time pursuant to such Authentication Order. The material terms of
such Securities shall be determinable by reference to such Authentication Order
and procedures. If provided for in such procedures, such Authentication Order
may authorize authentication and delivery of such Securities pursuant to oral
instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions
shall be promptly confirmed in writing. In authenticating such Securities and
accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to
such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to the
provisions of Section 6.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying
upon:
(1) an
executed supplemental indenture, if any;
(2) an
Officers’ Certificate, certifying as to the authorized form or forms and terms
of such Securities; and
(3) an
Opinion of Counsel, stating that:
(a) the
form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established by and in
conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that if all such
Securities are not to be issued at the same time, such Opinion of Counsel may
state that such terms will be established in conformity with the provisions of
this Indenture, subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel;
and
(b) such
Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the
Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of
Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization, and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general principles of
equity;
provided, however , that if
all Securities issuable by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental
indenture are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary
to deliver the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel otherwise required
pursuant to this paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each
such Security if such documents are delivered at or prior to the time of
authentication upon original issuance of the first such Security to be issued.
After the original issuance of the first such Security to be issued, any
separate request by the Company that the Trustee authenticate such Securities
for original issuance will be deemed to be a certification by the Company that
it is in compliance with all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture
relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The
Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue
thereof will adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, or immunities
under the Securities and this Indenture.
If the
Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that Securities of a series may
be issued in whole or in part in global form, then the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall (in accordance with this Section 3.03 and the
Authentication Order with respect to such series) authenticate and deliver, one
or more Securities in global form that (i) shall represent and shall be
denominated in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such one or more
Securities in global form, (ii) shall be registered, in the name of the
Depositary for such Security or Securities in global form, or in the name of a
nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered to such Depositary or
pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction, and (iv) shall bear a legend
substantially as follows: “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part
for Securities in certificated form, this Security may not be transferred except
as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, or by a nominee of
the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.” Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a
Security in global form must, at the time of its designation and at all times
while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable statute or
regulation.
No
Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate
of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the
Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon
any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such
Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section
3.04 Temporary
Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities
of any series, the Company may execute, and, upon receipt of the documents
required by Sections 2.02, 3.01 and 3.03 hereof, together with an Authentication
Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities of such
series that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed, or otherwise
produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the
definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued in registered form,
without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions,
and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as
evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of
any series for which a temporary Security may be issued in global form, such
temporary global security shall represent all of the Outstanding Securities of
such series and tenor.
Except in
the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in
accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities of any series
are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be
prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive
Securities, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable, at
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or at such other office or agency as
may be maintained by the Company in a Place of Payment pursuant to Section 10.02
hereof, for definitive Securities of such series having identical terms and
provisions, upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series, at the
Company’s own expense and without charge to the Holder; and upon surrender for
cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series in
authorized denominations containing identical terms and provisions. Unless
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to a temporary
Security in global form, until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such
series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
Section
3.05 Registration, Transfer and
Exchange. With respect to the Securities of each series, the
Trustee shall keep a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) which
shall provide for the registration of Securities of such series, and for
transfers of Securities of such series, in accordance with information to be
provided to the Trustee by the Company, subject to such reasonable regulations
as the Trustee may prescribe. Such register shall be in written form or in any
other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable
time. At all reasonable times the information contained in such register or
registers shall be available for inspection at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee or at such other office or agency to be maintained by the Company
pursuant to Section 10.02 hereof.
Upon due
presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any other office or agency
maintained by the Company with respect to that series pursuant to Section 10.02
hereof, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of like aggregate
principal amount, tenor, terms and Scheduled Maturity Date.
Any other
provision of this Section 3.05 notwithstanding, unless and until it is exchanged
in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby, in
definitive form, a Security in global form representing all or a portion of the
Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the
Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary, or by a nominee of
such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary, or by
such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or
a nominee of such successor Depositary.
At the
option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other
Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of like aggregate
principal amount, tenor, terms and Scheduled Maturity Date, upon surrender of
the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities
are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Securityholder making
the exchange is entitled to receive.
If at any
time the Depositary for the Securities of a series represented by one or more
Securities in global form notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series, or if at any time the
Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under
Section 3.03 hereof, the Company, by Company Order, shall appoint a successor
Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series. If a successor
Depositary for the Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company
within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such
ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.01 that such
Securities be represented by one or more Securities in global form shall no
longer be effective with respect to the Securities of such series and the
Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order
for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series,
will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive form, in
authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount, and of like terms
and tenor, equal to the principal amount of the Security or Securities in global
form representing such series, in exchange for such Security or Securities in
global form.
The
Company may at any time and in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures
of the Depositary determine that individual Securities of any series issued in
global form shall no longer be represented by such Security or Securities in
global form. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon
receipt of an Authentication Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series and of the same terms and tenor, will
authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive form, in
authorized denominations, and in aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Security or Securities in global form representing such
series in exchange for such Security or Securities in global form.
If
specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of
Securities issued in global form, the Depositary for such series of Securities
may surrender a Security in global form for such series of Securities in
exchange in whole or in part for Securities of such series in definitive form
and of like terms and tenor on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and
such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee upon
receipt of an Authentication Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver, without
service charge:
(a) to
each Person specified by such Depositary, a new definitive Security or
Securities of the same series and of the same tenor and terms, in authorized
denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such
Person’s beneficial interest in the Security in global form; and
(b) to
such Depositary, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to the
difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Security in
global form and the aggregate principal amount of the definitive Securities
delivered to Holders pursuant to clause (a) above.
Upon the
exchange of a Security in global form for Securities in definitive form, such
Security in global form shall be canceled by the Trustee or an agent of the
Company or the Trustee. Securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
Security in global form pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall be registered in
such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such
Security in global form, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect
participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company
or the Trustee in writing. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such
Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are
so registered or to the Depositary.
Whenever
any securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder
making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All
Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities
shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
Every
Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange,
redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be
duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless
otherwise provided in the Security to be transferred or exchanged, no service
charge shall be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities, but the Company may (unless otherwise provided in such Security)
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of
Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 9.06 and 11.07
hereof not involving any transfer.
The
Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or
exchange any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 11.03 and ending
at the close of business on the date of such mailing, or (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in
part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion
thereof not to be redeemed.
Section
3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost
and Stolen Securities. If (i) any mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii)
there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as
may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of
notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a
bona fide purchaser, the Company may in its discretion execute and upon request
of the Company the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in
lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of like tenor, terms, series, Scheduled Maturity Date, and principal amount,
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case
any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to
become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a
new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the
issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees
and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new
Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation
of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be
at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of
this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of
the same series duly issued hereunder.
The
provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent
lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section
3.07 Payment of Interest;
Interest Rights Preserved. Interest on any Security which is
payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date
shall, if so provided in such Security, be paid to the Person in whose name that
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the applicable Record Date, notwithstanding any transfer or exchange
of such Security subsequent to such Record Date and prior to such Interest
Payment Date. (unless such Interest Payment Date is also the date of Maturity of
such Security).
Any
interest on any Security which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the applicable Record
Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and, except as hereinafter
provided, such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in
each case, as provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below:
(a) The
Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in
whose names any such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are
registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The
Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest
proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment,
and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such
Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such
Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be
not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment
and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the
proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special
Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause
notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record
Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of each
such Security at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less
than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment
of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been
mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in
whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are
registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no
longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The
Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner
not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed
payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed
practicable by the Trustee.
Interest
on Securities of any series that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to
the address of the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in
the Securities Register for such series or by such other means as may be
specified in the form of such Security.
Subject
to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.07 and the provisions of Section
3.05 hereof, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of
transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the
rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such
other Security.
Section
3.08 Persons Deemed
Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered on
the applicable Record Date(s) as the owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any (subject to
Sections 3.05 and 3.07 hereof), and any additional amounts payable with respect
to such Security, and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such
Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any agent of the
Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
None of
the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, the
Security Registrar, or any Co-Security Registrar will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests and each of them may act or refrain from acting without
liability on any information relating to such records provided by the
Depositary.
Section
3.09 Cancellation. All
Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer,
exchange, or credit against a sinking or analogous fund shall, if surrendered to
any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not
already canceled, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the
Trustee. Acquisition of such Securities by the Company shall not operate as a
redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities
unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. No
Security shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities
canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this
Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities in accordance
with its customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposition to
the Company.
Section
3.10 Computation of
Interest. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section
3.01, interest on the Securities shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE
IV
SATISFACTION
AND DISCHARGE
Section
4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge
of Indenture. This Indenture shall cease to be of further
effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving
rights of conversion or transfer or exchange of Securities of such series
expressly provided for herein or in the form of Security for such series and
obligations described as surviving below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at
the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series,
when
(a) either
(i) all
Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than
(A) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost, or stolen and
which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06, and (B) Securities
of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust
or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the
Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.07) have been
delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation; or
(ii) all
such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee canceled
or for cancellation
(A) have
become due and payable, or
(B) will,
in accordance with their Scheduled Maturity Date, become due and payable within
one year, or
(C) 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 any of the cases described in
subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C) above, the Company has irrevocably deposited or
caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for the
purpose, (x) an amount in money sufficient, (y) U.S. Government Obligations or
Equivalent Government Securities which through the payment of interest and
principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money sufficient, or (z)
a combination of (x) and (y) sufficient, in the opinion with respect to (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 such Securities with respect to principal,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case
of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Scheduled Maturity
Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however , that if such
U.S. Government Obligations or Equivalent Government Securities are callable or
redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, the amount of such money, U.S.
Government Obligations, and Equivalent Government Securities deposited with the
Trustee must be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness referred
to above if such issuer elects to exercise such call or redemption provisions at
any time prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case
may be, and the Company, but not the Trustee, shall be responsible for
monitoring any such call or redemption provision; and
(b) the
Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the
Company with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(c) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating
to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the
Securities of such series have been complied with.
Notwithstanding
the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of
Securities, the obligations of the Company under paragraph (a) of this Section
4.01 and its obligations to the Trustee with respect to that series under
Section 6.07 shall survive, and the obligations of the Trustee under Sections
4.05, 4.07 and 10.03 shall survive.
Section
4.02 Discharge and
Defeasance. The provisions of this Section and Section 4.04
(insofar as relating to this Section) shall apply to the Securities of each
series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution or indenture
supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 3.01. In addition to discharge
of this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.01, in the case of any series of
Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in subparagraph (a)
of Section 4.04 can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to
in such subparagraph (a), the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series as
provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in
Section 4.04 are satisfied, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to
the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i)
rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series,
(ii) substitution of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such
series, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely
from the trust fund described in subparagraph (a) of Section 4.04, payments of
principal thereof, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon upon the
original stated due dates or upon the Redemption Dates therefor (but not upon
acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such series
to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights,
obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) this Section
4.02, Section 4.07, Section 10.02 and Section 10.03 and (vi) the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the
property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them)
(hereinafter called “Defeasance”), and the Trustee
at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same.
Section
4.03 Covenant
Defeasance. The provisions of this Section and Section 4.04
(insofar as relating to this Section) shall apply to the Securities of each
series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution or indenture
supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 3.01. In the case of any series
of Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in subparagraph
(a) of Section 4.04 can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred
to in such subparagraph (a), (i) the Company shall be released from its
obligations under any covenants specified in or pursuant to Section 3.01 as
being subject to Covenant Defeasance with respect to such series (except as to
(a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series
and rights under Section 4.07, Section 10.02 and Section 10.03, (b) substitution
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series, (c) rights of
Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the Company pursuant to
Section 10.01, payments of principal thereof and interest, if any, thereon upon
the original stated due dates or upon the Redemption Dates therefor (but not
upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such
series to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (d) the rights,
obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (e) the rights
of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect
to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them),
and (ii) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.01(d) (with respect
to any of the covenants specified in or pursuant to Section 3.01 as being
subject to Covenant Defeasance with respect to such series) shall be deemed not
to be or result in a default or an Event of Default, in each case with respect
to the Outstanding Securities of such series as provided in this Section on and
after the date the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 are satisfied
(hereinafter called “Covenant
Defeasance”), and the Trustee at the cost and expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same. For this purpose, such
Covenant Defeasance means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall
have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in
any such covenant (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.01(d)),
whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any
other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this
Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be unaffected
thereby.
Section
4.04 Conditions To Defeasance Or
Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to
application of either Section 4.02 or Section 4.03 to the Outstanding
Securities:
(a) with
reference to Section 4.02 or Section 4.03, the Company has irrevocably deposited
or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust,
specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of
the Holders of Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S.
Government Obligations or Equivalent Government Securities which through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment,
money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the
opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal
(including mandatory sinking fund payments) of, premium, if any, and interest
on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of
interest, premium or principal are due, including upon redemption; provided,
however, that if such U.S. Government Obligations and Equivalent Government
Securities are callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, the
amount of such money, U.S. Government Obligations, and/or Equivalent Government
Securities deposited with the Trustee must be sufficient to pay and discharge
the entire indebtedness referred to above if the issuer of any such U.S.
Government Obligations or Equivalent Government Securities elects to exercise
such call or redemption provisions at any time prior to the Scheduled Maturity
Date or Redemption Date of such Securities, as the case may be. The Company, but
not the Trustee, shall be responsible for monitoring any such call or redemption
provision.
(b) in
the case of Defeasance under Section 4.02, the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling or (y) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable
United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and
such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as
would have been the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge had not
occurred;
(c) in
the case of Covenant Defeasance under Section 4.03, the Company has delivered to
the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, and such opinion shall
confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case
if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) no
Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall
have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, after giving effect
to such deposit or, in the case of a Defeasance under Section 4.02, no Event of
Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or Section 5.01(f) shall have occurred, at
any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit
or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest
preference period applicable to the Company in respect of such deposit (it being
understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the
expiration of such period);
(e) such
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not cause the Trustee to have a
conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA, assuming all Securities of a
series were in default within the meaning of the TIA;
(f) such
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Company
is a party or by which it is bound;
(g) such
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in the trust arising from such
deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless the trust is registered under such Act
or exempt from registration;
(h) if
the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity
Date (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments),
notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture
or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made;
and
(i) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for
herein relating to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be,
have been complied with.
Section
4.05 Application of Trust Money;
Excess Funds. All money and U.S. Government Obligations or
Equivalent Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.04 hereof shall be held in
trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and
of the series of Securities in respect of which it was deposited, to the
payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company
acting as its own Paying Agent), as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons
entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, for
whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money
need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.
The
Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge
imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations or
Equivalent Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section
4.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than
any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders
of the Outstanding Securities.
Anything
in this Article 4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or
pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S.
Governmental Obligations or Equivalent Government Securities held by it as
provided in Section 4.01 or Section 4.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public
accountants, expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 4.01 or Section 4.04,
as applicable), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required
to be deposited to effect an equivalent satisfaction and discharge, Covenant
Defeasance or Defeasance of the applicable series.
Section
4.06 Paying Agent to Repay Moneys
Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys then held by any Paying Agent of the Securities (other than the
Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the
Trustee, and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys.
Section
4.07 Return of Unclaimed
Amounts. Any amounts deposited with or paid to the Trustee or
any Paying Agent or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities and not
applied but remaining unclaimed by the Holders of such Securities for two years
after the date upon which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if
any, on such Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable,
shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee on Company Request or (if then
held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of any
of such Securities shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment
which such Holder may be entitled to collect (until such time as such unclaimed
amounts shall escheat, if at all, to the State of New York) and all liability of
the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all
liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once a week for two successive weeks (in each case on any day of
the week) in a newspaper printed in the English language and customarily
published at least once a day at least five days in each calendar week and of
general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City and State of New
York, a notice that said amounts have not been so applied and that after a date
named therein any unclaimed balance of said amounts then remaining will be
promptly returned to the Company.
ARTICLE
V
ARTICLE
V REMEDIES
Section
5.01 Events of
Default. “Event of Default”, wherever
used herein, means with respect to any series of Securities any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is either
inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in
the manner contemplated by Section 3.01:
(a) default
in the payment of any interest on any Security of such series when it becomes
due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
or
(b) default
in the payment of the principal amount of (or premium, if any, on) any Security
of such series as and when the same shall become due, either at Maturity, upon
redemption, by declaration, or otherwise; or
(c) default
in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the
same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of such series and continuance
of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(d) default
in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this
Indenture in respect of the Securities of such series (other than a covenant or
warranty in respect of the Securities of such series a default in the
performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section
specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period
of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at
least 25% in the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series,
a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
or
(e) the
entry of an order for relief against the Company under the Federal Bankruptcy
Act by a court having jurisdiction in the premises or a decree or order by a
court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or
insolvent under any other applicable Federal or State law, or the entry of a
decree or order approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under the
Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable Federal or State law, or
appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other
similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of
any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive
days; or
(f) the
consent by the Company to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent
seeking reorganization or relief under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other
applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such
petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial
part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts
generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company
in furtherance of any such action; or
(g) any
other Event of Default provided for with respect to the Securities of such
series in accordance with Section 3.01. A default under any
indebtedness of the Company other than the Securities will not constitute an
Event of Default under this Indenture, and a default under one series of
Securities will not constitute a default under any other series of Securities.
The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a
Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office has actual knowledge
thereof.
Section
5.02 Acceleration of Maturity;
Rescission, and Annulment. If any Event of Default described
in Section 5.01 above (other than Events of Default described in Section 5.01(e)
and Section 5.01(f)) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any
series, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the
Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 51% in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to
the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal
amount (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the
terms of that series) of all the Securities of such series and any and all
accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such
declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, any
provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series to the contrary
notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or Section
5.01(f) occurs, the principal amount of the Securities of such series and any
and all accrued interest thereon shall immediately become and be due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the party of the Trustee or any Holder.
No declaration of acceleration by the Trustee with respect to any series of
Securities shall constitute a declaration of acceleration by the Trustee with
respect to any other series of Securities, and no declaration of acceleration by
the Holders of at least 51% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series shall constitute a declaration of acceleration or other
action by any of the Holders of any other series of Securities, in each case
whether or not the Event of Default on which such declaration is based shall
have occurred and be continuing with respect to more than one series of
Securities, and whether or not any Holders of the Securities of any such
affected series shall also be Holders of Securities of any other such affected
series.
At any
time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to the
Securities of any series and before a judgment or decree for payment of the
money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article
provided, the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences if all Events of Default with respect to such series of Securities,
other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities of such series
which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as
provided in Section 5.13, if such cure or waiver does not conflict with any
judgment or decree set forth in Section 5.01(e) and Section 5.01(f) and if all
sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel have
been paid.
No such
rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent
thereon.
Section
5.03 Collection of Indebtedness
and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants
that if:
(a) default
is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any
series when such interest becomes due and payable, or
(b) default
is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security
at the Maturity thereof, or
(c) default
is made in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation
when the same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of any series,
and
(d) any
such default continues for any period of grace provided in relation to such
default pursuant to Section 5.01, then, with respect to the Securities of such
series, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit
of the Holder of any such Security (or the Holders of any such series in the
case of clause (c) above), the whole amount then due and payable on any such
Security (or on the Securities of any such series in the case of clause (c)
above) for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest
(to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) upon
the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and upon overdue installments of
interest, if any, at such rate or rates as may be prescribed therefor by the
terms of any such Security (or of Securities of any such series in the case of
clause (c) above); and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be
sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section
6.07.
If the
Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in
its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial
proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute
such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against
the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series and collect
the money adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of
the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever
situated.
If an
Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its
rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section
5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of
Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership,
insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment,
composition, or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other
obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other
obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal
of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made
any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest)
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or
otherwise,
(a) to
file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or, with respect to
Original Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms of such Securities), premium, if any, and interest, if
any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities, and to file such other
papers or documents as may be necessary and advisable in order to have the
claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel,
and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07) and of the
Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings, and
(b) to
collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any
such claims and to distribute the same; and any receiver, assignee, trustee,
liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount
due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
of the Trustee and its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee
under Section 6.07 hereof.
Nothing
herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or
consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder 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 Securityholder in any such proceeding.
Section
5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims
Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and
claims under this Indenture or the Securities of any series may be prosecuted
and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of
such series or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and
any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name
as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities, of the series in respect of
which such judgment has been recovered.
Section
5.06 Application of Money
Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee with respect to
a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the
following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the
distribution of such money on account of principal, premium, if any, or
interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities of such series and the
notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender
thereof, if fully paid:
First: To the payment
of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof.
Second: To the
payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities of that series
for principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, and additional amounts, if
any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been
collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind.
Section
5.07 Limitation on
Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any
right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this
Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other
remedy hereunder, unless
(a) such
Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to Securities of such series;
(b) the
Holders of not less than 51 % in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee
hereunder;
(c) such
Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such
request;
(d) the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request, and offer of
indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no
direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee
during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of such series; it being understood and intended that
no one or more Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any
manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture
to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of
such series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the
manner herein provided and for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the
Holders of all Securities of such series.
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of
Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium, and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.07)
interest, if any, (and additional amounts, if any) on such Security on or after
the respective payment dates expressed in such Security (or, in the case of
redemption or repayment, on the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case
may be) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after such respective date, and such right shall not be impaired or affected
without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and
Remedies. If the Trustee or any Securityholder has instituted any
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then and in every
such case the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to
their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the
Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had
been instituted.
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies
Cumulative. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Securityholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right
or remedy, and every right or remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or
remedy.
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not
Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any
Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default
shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event
of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this
Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from
time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the
Securityholders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12 Control by
Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series, provided that
(a) the Trustee
shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee,
being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not
lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in
good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so
directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to
the Holders not taking part in such direction, and
(b) the Trustee may
take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent
with such direction.
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past
Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series may, on behalf of the Holders of all
the Securities of such series, waive any past default hereunder with respect to
such series and its consequences, except a default not theretofore
cured:
(a) in the payment
of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such
series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous
obligation with respect to the Securities of such series, or
(b) in respect of a
covenant or provision in this Indenture which, under Article Nine hereof, cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding
Security of such series.
Upon any
such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
impair any right consequent thereon.
Section
5.14 Undertaking for
Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of
any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any
court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in
such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court
may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’
fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits
and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the
provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of
Securityholders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series to which the suit relates, or to any
suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security on or after the
respective payment dates expressed in such Security (or, in the case of
redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment
Date).
Section
5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension
Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law (other than any bankruptcy law) wherever enacted, now or at any
time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of
this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants
that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE
VI
THE
TRUSTEE
Section
6.01 Certain Duties and
Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) Except
during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of
Securities,
(i) the
Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such
series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in
the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to
Securities of such series, conclusively rely upon certificates or opinions
furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture;
but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision
hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee
shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not
confirm or investigate the accuracy of calculations or other facts stated
therein).
(b) If
an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities actually known to a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise, with respect to the Securities of such series, such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No
provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from
liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its
own willful misconduct, except that
(i) this
Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this
Section;
(ii) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the
Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any
series relating to the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(iv) no
provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of
its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it.
(d) Whether
or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating
to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the
Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section
6.02 Notice of
Defaults. Within 90 days after receipt of notice of the
occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to Securities of any series,
the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders of such series, as
their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such
default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been
cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the
case of a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest,
if any, on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking or
purchase fund installment or analogous obligation with respect to Securities of
such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so
long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders
of such series and; provided, further, that, in the case of
any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(d) with respect to
Securities of such series, no such notice to Securityholders of such series
shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term “default”, with respect to
Securities of any series, means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of
time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of
such series.
Section
6.03 Certain Rights of
Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01
above:
(a) the
Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon
any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties;
(b) any
request, direction or order of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board
Resolution;
(c) whenever
in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that
a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any
action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’
Certificate or Opinion of Counsel or both, and shall not be liable for any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such certificate or
opinion;
(d) the
Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of
such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and
protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by
it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers
vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the
Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall
have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by
it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the
Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters
stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or
document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or
investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee
shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be
entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally
or by agent or attorney; and
(g) the
Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee
shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
Section
6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals
or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and
in the Securities, except the certificates of authentication, shall be taken as
the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the
proceeds thereof.
Section
6.05 May Hold
Securities. The Trustee or any Paying Agent, Security
Registrar, or other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
6.08 and 6.13 hereof, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, or such
other agent.
Section
6.06 Money Held in
Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not
be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section
6.07 Compensation and
Reimbursement. The Company covenants and agrees
(a) to
pay the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to,
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which
compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its
agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(c) to
indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability
or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of
or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including
the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties hereunder.
Without
prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law,
when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event
of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) and Section 5.01(f) above, such expenses
(including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and compensation
for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under
any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other
similar law.
The
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds
held or collected by it as such for any amount owing to it or any predecessor
Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.07, except with respect to funds held in
trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities.
The
provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture.
Section
6.08 Disqualification;
Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any
conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall
either eliminate such interest or resign as Trustee with respect to one or more
series of Securities, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject
to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a
conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with
respect to Securities of more than one series.
Section
6.09 Corporate Trustee Required;
Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder
with respect to each series of Securities that shall be a corporation organized
and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any
State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, authorized under such
laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus
of at least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or
State authority and having its principal office and place of business in the
City of New York, if there be such a corporation having its principal office and
place of business in said City and willing to act as Trustee on customary and
usual terms. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.
Section
6.10 Resignation and Removal;
Appointment of Successor.
(a) No
resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee
pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.
(b) The
Trustee may resign with respect to any one or more series of Securities at any
time by giving at least 60 days’ written notice thereof to the Company. If an
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to
the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The
Trustee may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by
Act of the Holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If
at any time:
(i) the
Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.08 above with respect to any series
of Securities after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for
at least six months, or
(ii) the
Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 above with respect to any
series of Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by
the Company or by any such Securityholder, or
(iii) the
Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of
Securities, or
(iv) the
Trustee shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee
or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in
any such case (A) the Company may remove the Trustee, with respect to the series
or, in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series, or (B) subject to
Section 5.14, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security
of such series for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others
similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
series or, in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series.
(e) If
the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting with respect
to any series of Securities, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of
Trustee with respect to any series of Securities for any cause, the Company
shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee for that series of Securities. If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence
of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to such series of Securities
shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance
of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to such series
and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company with respect to
such series. If no successor Trustee with respect to such series shall have been
so appointed by the Company or the Securityholders of such series and accepted
appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Securityholder who has been
bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for at least six months may, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect
to such series.
(f) The
Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee
with respect to any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of that series as their
names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include
the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its principal Corporate
Trust Office.
Section
6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by
Successor. Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder with
respect to all series of Securities shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to
the Company and to the predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee
shall become effective, and such successor Trustee, without any further act,
deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to any such series; but, on
request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such predecessor Trustee shall,
upon payment of its reasonable charges, if any, execute and deliver an
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and
trusts of the predecessor Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver
to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such predecessor
Trustee hereunder.
In case
of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the predecessor
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or
desirable to transfer and to conform to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee
all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series as to which the appointment of such
successor Trustee relates and (2) if the predecessor Trustee is not retiring
with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed
necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to
which the predecessor Trustee is not being succeeded shall continue to be vested
in the predecessor Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions
of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; and, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon
request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all
instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such
successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or
second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No
successor Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept its
appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall
be qualified and eligible with respect to that series under this
Article.
Notwithstanding
replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations
under Section 6.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring
Trustee.
Section
6.12 Merger, Conversion,
Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into
which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the
Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated,
but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor Trustee by
merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such
Securities.
Section
6.13 Preferential Collection of
Claims Against Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or
shall become a creditor, of the Company (or of any other obligor upon the
Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or against
any such other obligor, as the case may be).
Section
6.14 Appointment of
Authenticating Agent. At any time when any of the Securities
remain Outstanding the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint an
Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities
which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or
partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.06, and Securities so
authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be
valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee
hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication
and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of
authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and
delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate
of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all
times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized
under such laws to act as an Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and
surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination
by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the
combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be
its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating
Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in
this Section.
Any
corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party,
or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust
business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating
Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An
Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to
the Trustee and, if other than the Company, to the Company. The Trustee may at
any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written
notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and, if other than the Company, to
the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a
termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee, with
the approval of the Company, may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which
shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such
appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as
their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor
Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become
vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with
like effect as originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor
Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of
this Section.
The
Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable
compensation for its services under this Section.
If an
appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section,
the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the
Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of
authentication in the following form:
This is
one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the
within-mentioned
Indenture. [ ],
as Trustee
By:
As
Authenticating Agent:
By:
Authorized
Officer:
ARTICLE
VII
SECURITYHOLDERS’
LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section
7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee
Names and Addresses of Securityholders. The Company will
furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semiannually,
not more than 15 days after January 1 and July 1 in each year, in such form as
the Trustee may reasonably require, a list of the names and addresses of the
Holders of Securities of each series as of such date, and
(b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the
receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,
provided that if the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for such series,
such list shall not be required to be furnished.
Section
7.02 Preservation of Information;
Communications to Securityholders.
(a) The
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the
names and addresses of Holders of Securities contained in the most recent list
furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses
of Holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) If
three or more Holders of Securities of any series (hereinafter referred to as
“applicants”) apply in
writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each
such applicant has owned a Security of such series for a period of at least six
months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that
the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such
series or with the Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under
this Indenture or under such Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form
of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then
the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such
application, at its election, either:
(i) afford
such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee
in accordance with Section 7.02(a), or
(ii) inform
such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such
series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear
in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with
Section 7.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such
Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in
such application.
If the
Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information,
the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each
Holder of a Security of such series or to all Securityholders, as the case may
be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by
the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02 (a), a copy of the form of proxy or
other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable
promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of
payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing,
unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such
applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to
be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the
Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of
Securities of such series or all Securityholders, as the case may be, or would
be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the
basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon
the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order
refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order
sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have
been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of
such material to all Securityholders of such series or all Securityholders, as
the case may be, with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and
the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any
obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Every
Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company
and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 7.02(b),
regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the
Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant
to a request made under Section 7.02(b).
Section
7.03 Reports by
Trustee.
(a) The
Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its
actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by
Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days
after each June 1 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to each Holder,
as provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), a brief report dated as of
such June 1, which complies with the provisions of such Section
313(a).
(b) A
copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be
filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are
listed, with the Commission and with the Company as required by Trust Indenture
Act Section 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any
Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section
7.04 Reports by
Company. The Company will:
(a) file
with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company is required to file the same
with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information,
documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing
as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe)
which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the
Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to
either of said Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission,
in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and
reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
regulations;
(b) file
with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information,
documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the
conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time
by such rules and regulations; and
(c) transmit
by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear in the
Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee,
such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by
the Company pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section as may be
required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission.
ARTICLE
VIII
CONSOLIDATION,
MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER
Section
8.01 Company May Consolidate,
etc., Only on Certain Terms. The Company shall not consolidate
with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets and the properties and assets of
the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, unless;
(a) either
the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which
acquires by conveyance or transfer all or substantially all of the properties
and assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America or any State or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by
an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance
of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed
or observed;
(b) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, or event which,
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have happened and be continuing; and
(c) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer and any assumption permitted or required by this Article complies with
the provisions of this Article.
Section
8.02 Successor Corporation
Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any
conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets
of the Company in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor corporation formed
by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person to which
such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with
the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company
herein and the Company shall thereupon be released from all obligations
hereunder and under the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may
cause to be signed and may issue any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder
which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the
Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this
Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any
Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers
of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such
successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Trustee for that purpose. All of the Securities so issued shall in all respects
have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities
theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution
hereof.
In case
of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, such changes in
phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities
thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE
IX
SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURES
Section
9.01 Supplemental Indentures
Without Consent of Securityholders. Without the consent of the
Holders of any Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from
time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto (which
shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the
date of execution thereof), in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the
following purposes:
(a) to
evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive
successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants,
agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article 8 hereof;
or
(b) to
add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or
conditions for the protection of the Holders of the Securities of any or all
series as the Company and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of
the Holders of the Securities of any or all series or to surrender any right or
power herein conferred upon the Company (and if such covenants or the surrender
of such right or power are to be for the benefit of less than all series of
Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included or such
surrenders are expressly being made solely for the benefit of one or more
specified series); or
(c) to
cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be
inconsistent with any other provision herein or in any supplemental indenture,
or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
under this Indenture that do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders
of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(d) to
add to this Indenture such provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in Section
316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date as of which this
instrument is executed or any corresponding provision in any similar federal
statute hereafter enacted; or
(e) to
add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities;
or
(f) to
secure any series of Securities; or
(g) to
establish any form of Security, as provided in Article 2 hereof, and to provide
for the issuance of any series of Securities, as provided in Article 3 hereof,
and to set forth the terms thereof, and/or to add to the rights of the Holders
of the Securities of any series; or
(h) to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by another corporation as
a successor Trustee hereunder with respect to one or more series of Securities
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 Section 6.11 hereof;
or
(i) to
add any additional Events of Default in respect of the Securities of any or all
series (and if such additional Events of Default are to be in respect of less
than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly
being included solely for the benefit of one or more specified series);
or
(j) to
comply with the requirements of the Commission in connection with the
qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(k) to
make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in
any material respect the interests of the Holders of such
Securities.
Section
9.02 Supplemental Indentures With
Consent of Securityholders. With the consent of the Holders of
not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures, by Act of
said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or
of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of the Securities of each such series under this Indenture; provided,
however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:
(a) change
the Scheduled Maturity Date or the stated payment date of any payment of premium
or interest payable on any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
any amount of interest or premium payable thereon, or
(b) change
the method of computing the amount of principal of any Security or any interest
payable thereon on any date, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin
or currency in which, any Security or any payment of premium or interest thereon
is payable, or
(c) impair
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment described in
clauses (a) or (b) on or after the same shall become due and payable, whether at
Maturity or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption
Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be; or
(d) change
or waive the redemption or repayment provisions of any series;
(e) reduce
the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series,
the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or
the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their
consequences, provided for in this Indenture; or
(f) modify
any of the provisions of this Section or Section 5.13, except to increase any
such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture
cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however , that this clause
shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes
in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or
the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections
6.11 and 9.01(h); or
(g) adversely
affect the ranking or priority of any series;
(h) release
any guarantor or co-obligor from any of its obligations under its guarantee of
the Securities or this Indenture, except in compliance with the terms of this
Indenture; or
(i) waive
any Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(b) or Section
5.01(c) hereof with respect to such Security.
A
supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall
not be necessary for any Act of Securityholders under this Section 9.02 to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section
9.03 Execution of Supplemental
Indentures. Upon request of the Company and upon filing with
the Trustee of evidence of an Act of Securityholders as aforementioned, the
Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental
indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights,
powers, trusts, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which
case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter
into such supplemental indenture. In executing, or accepting the additional
trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the
modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall
be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected
in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such
supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture.
Section
9.04 Effect of Supplemental
Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture
under this Article, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and
amended in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a
part of this Indenture for all purposes; and the respective rights, limitation
of rights, duties, powers, trusts and immunities under this Indenture of the
Trustee, the Company, and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter
authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be determined, exercised and
enforced thereunder to the extent provided therein.
Section
9.05 Conformity With Trust
Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant
to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as
then in effect.
Section
9.06 Reference in Securities to
Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series
authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture
pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a
notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such
supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities so
modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any
modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities.
ARTICLE
X
COVENANTS
Section
10.01 Payment of Principal,
Premium and Interest. With respect to each series of
Securities, the Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities in
accordance with their terms and this Indenture, and will duly comply with all
the other terms, agreements and conditions contained in the Indenture for the
benefit of the Securities of such series.
Section
10.02 Maintenance of Office or
Agency. So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding,
the Company will maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment where
Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain such office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
Section
10.03 Money or Security Payments
to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as
its own Paying Agent for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each
due date of the principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the
Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the
Holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal,
premium, or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such
Holders of such Securities or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever
the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities,
it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal, premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on any Securities of such series, deposit with a Paying Agent
a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, or interest so becoming due,
such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities
entitled to the same and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company
will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to
act.
The
Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee for any series of
Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such
Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this
Section, that such Paying Agent will
(a) hold
all sums held by it for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest,
if any, on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of
the Securities entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Holders of
such Securities or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(b) give
the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Securities of such series) in the making of any such payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series;
and
(c) at
any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of
the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such
Paying Agent.
The
Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities or for any
other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the
Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent in respect of
each and every series of Securities as to which it seeks to discharge this
Indenture or, if for any other purpose, all sums so held in trust by the Company
in respect of all Securities, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same
trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying
Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying
Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.
Section
10.04 Certificate to
Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 120
days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate, one of whose
signatories shall be the Company’s principal executive, accounting or financial
officer, stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their
duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any
default by the Company in the performance of any of its covenants, conditions or
agreements contained herein (without regard to any period of grace or
requirement of notice provided hereunder), stating whether or not they have
knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which
the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.
Section
10.05 Corporate
Existence. Subject to Article 8 the Company will do or cause
to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect
its corporate existence.
ARTICLE
XI
REDEMPTION
OF SECURITIES
Section
11.01 Applicability of
Article. The Company may reserve the right to redeem and pay
before the Scheduled Maturity Date all or any part of the Securities of any
series, either by optional redemption, sinking or purchase fund or analogous
obligation or otherwise, by provision therefor in the form of Security for such
series established and approved pursuant to Section 2.02 and 2.03 or as
otherwise provided in Section 3.01, and on such terms as are specified in such
form or in the indenture supplemental hereto with respect to Securities of such
series as provided in Section 3.01. Redemption of Securities of any series shall
be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and, to the extent that
this Article does not conflict with such terms, the succeeding Sections of this
Article.
Section
11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice
to Trustee. In case of any redemption at the election of the
Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed
by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee)
notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal
amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any
redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such
redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a
condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate
evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section
11.03 Selection by Trustee of
Securities to be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Securities of
any series 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 such series not previously called for redemption,
by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, which may include
provision for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of
Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized
denomination for Securities of that series. Unless otherwise provided in the
terms of a particular series of Securities, the portions of the principal of
Securities so selected for partial redemption shall be equal to the minimum
authorized denomination of the Securities of such series, or an integral
multiple thereof, and the principal amount which remains outstanding shall not
be less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such
series.
The
Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected
for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption,
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all
purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all
provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of
any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
principal of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section
11.04 Notice of
Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, mailed not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his or her
address appearing in the Security Register on the applicable Record
Date.
All
notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the
Redemption Date;
(2) the
Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation
thereof;
(3) if
fewer than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the
identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal
amounts) of the Securities to be redeemed, from the Holder to whom the notice is
given and that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of
such Security, a new Security or Securities of the same series in the aggregate
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in
accordance with Section 11.07;
(4) that
on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon
each such Security, and that interest, if any, thereon shall cease to accrue
from and after said date;
(5) the
place where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption
Price, which shall be the office or agency maintained by the Company in the
Place of Payment pursuant to Section 10.02 hereof; and
(6) that
the redemption is on account of a sinking or purchase fund, or other analogous
obligation, if that be the case.
Notice of
redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be
given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, made at least five business
days prior to the date on which notice is to be given, by the Trustee in the
name and at the expense of the Company.
Section
11.05 Deposit of Redemption
Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as
its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03)
an amount of money, in immediately available funds, sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price of all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that
date.
Section
11.06 Securities Payable on
Redemption Date. Notice of Redemption having been given as
aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date,
become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified and from and
after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the
Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender
of such Securities for redemption in accordance with the notice, such Securities
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price. Any installment of
interest due and payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to
the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant Record Date
according to the terms and the provisions of Section 3.07 above; unless, with
respect to an Interest Payment Date that falls on a Redemption Date, such
Securities provide that interest due on such date is to be paid to the Person to
whom principal is payable.
If any
Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for
redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption
Date at the rate borne by the Security, or as otherwise provided in such
Security.
Section
11.07 Securities Redeemed in
Part. Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall
be surrendered at the office or agency maintained by the Company in the Place of
Payment pursuant to Section 10.02 hereof with respect to that series (with, if
the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly
executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder of such Security without service charge and at the expense of the
Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, tenor, terms and
Scheduled Maturity Date, of any authorized denomination as requested by such
Holders in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
Section
11.08 Provisions with Respect to
any Sinking Funds. Unless the form or terms of any series of
Securities shall provide otherwise, in lieu of making all or any part of any
mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to such series of Securities in
cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation
any Securities of such series theretofore acquired by the Company, or (b)
receive credit for any Securities of such series (not previously so credited)
acquired or redeemed by the Company (other than through operation of a mandatory
sinking fund) and theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and if
it does so then (i) Securities so delivered or credited shall be credited at the
applicable sinking fund Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such
series, and (ii) on or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund
Redemption Date with respect to such series of Securities, the Company will
deliver to the Trustee (A) an Officers’ Certificate specifying the portions of
such sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and by the delivery
or credit of Securities of such series acquired or redeemed by the Company, and
(B) such Securities, to the extent not previously surrendered. Such Officers’
Certificate shall also state the basis for any such credit and that the
Securities for which the Company elects to receive credit have not been
previously so credited and were not acquired by the Company through operation of
the mandatory sinking fund, if any, provided with respect to such Securities and
shall also state that no Event of Default with respect to Securities of such
series has occurred and is continuing. All Securities so delivered to the
Trustee shall be canceled by the Trustee and no Securities shall be
authenticated in lieu thereof.
If the
sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) with respect to any
series of Securities made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding
sinking fund payments with respect to Securities of such series made in cash
shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), unless
otherwise provided by the terms of such series of Securities, that cash shall be
applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund Redemption Date with respect to
Securities of such series next following the date of such payment to the
redemption of Securities of such series at the applicable sinking fund
Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such series, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption, with the effect
provided in Section 11.06. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in
Section 11.03, for redemption on such sinking fund Redemption Date a sufficient
principal amount of Securities of such series to utilize that cash and shall
thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series for the
sinking fund to be given in the manner provided in Section 11.04 (and with the
effect provided in Section 11.06) for the redemption of Securities in part at
the option of the Company. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated
by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to
the next cash sinking fund payment with respect to Securities of such series
received by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08. Any and all sinking fund
moneys with respect to Securities of any series held by the Trustee at the
Maturity of Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or
redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the
Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient
for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such
series at Maturity.
On or
before each sinking fund Redemption Date provided with respect to Securities of
any series, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash a sum equal to all
accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be
redeemed on such sinking fund Redemption Date pursuant to this Section
11.08.
The
Trustee shall not redeem any Securities with sinking fund moneys or give any
notice of redemption of Securities by operation of the applicable sinking fund
during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on Securities of such
series or of any Event of Default with respect to such series, except that if
the notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in
accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities
if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that
purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article 11. Except as aforesaid,
any moneys in the sinking fund with respect to Securities of any series at the
time when any such default or Event of Default with respect to such series shall
occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the
continuance of such default or Event of Default with respect to such series, be
held as security for the payment of all Securities of such series; provided,
however, that in case such default or Event of Default with respect to such
series shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall
thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys
may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.08.
ARTICLE
XII
REPAYMENT
AT OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section
12.01 Applicability of
Article. Repayment of Securities of any series before their
Scheduled Maturity Date at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in
accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with
this Article.
Section
12.02 Repayment of
Securities. Securities of any series subject to repayment in
whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise
provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the
principal amount thereof, together with interest thereon accrued to the
Repayment Date specified in the terms of such Securities. On or before the
Repayment Date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent
(or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in
trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money, in immediately available
funds, sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of all the Securities which are to
be repaid on such date.
Section
12.03 Exercise of
Option. Securities of any series subject to repayment at the
option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment”
form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the
Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect
Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder,
must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in
the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the
Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not
earlier than 30 days nor later than 15 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less
than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance
with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be
repaid, in increments of $1,000 unless otherwise specified in the terms of such
Security, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to
be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security
surrendered that is not to be repaid must be specified. The principal amount of
any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not
be repaid in part, if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of
such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of
Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except
as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for
repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option
by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the
Company.
Section
12.04 When Securities Presented
for Repayment Become Due and Payable. If Securities of any
series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have
been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by the terms of
such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to
be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the
Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless
the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment
Date) interest on such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be,
shall cease to accrue.
Section
12.05 Securities Repaid in
Part. Upon surrender of any Security which is to be repaid in
part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the
expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, tenor,
terms and Scheduled Maturity Date, of any authorized denomination specified by
the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be
repaid.
(
signature page follows )
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested; all as of the day and year first above written.
NEOSTEM,
INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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On the
[ ] day
of [ ],
20[ ] before me personally came
[ ]
to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at
[ ];
that he is of
[ ],
one of the parties described in and which executed the above instrument; that he
knows the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to that
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was affixed by authority of the board
of directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like
authority.
On the
[ ] day
of [ ],
20[ ] before me personally came
[ ],
to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides
at [ ];
that he is the
[ ]
of NeoStem, Inc., one of the parties described in and which executed the above
instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal
affixed to that instrument is such corporate seal; that it was affixed by
authority of the board of directors of said corporation; and that he signed his
name thereto by like authority.
Exhibit
5.1
[Lowenstein
Letterhead]
April 19,
2010
NeoStem,
Inc.
420
Lexington Avenue, Suite 450
New York,
New York 10170
Re:
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Shelf Registration
Statement on Form S-3
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Ladies
and Gentlemen:
This
opinion is being furnished to you in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), including the prospectus that
is part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), filed by NeoStem,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) on April 19, 2010 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
The
Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more
prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). The
Prospectus, as supplemented by the various Prospectus Supplements, will provide
for the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time of (i) shares of
the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”),
(ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
“Preferred Stock”), in one or more series or
classes, (iii) warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred
Stock (the “Warrants”), (iv) secured or unsecured debt securities, in one
or more series, which may be either senior debt securities, senior subordinated
debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated securities
(the “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to an Indenture between the
Company and a trustee or bank to be named (the “Trustee”), which may be
supplemented for any series of Debt Securities (the “Indenture”), or (v) units
composed of the foregoing (the “Units”). The Common Stock, Preferred
Stock, Warrants, Debt Securities and Units are collectively referred to herein
as the “Securities.” The Warrants may be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement
(the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and a bank or trust company as
warrant agent. Any Preferred Stock may be exchangeable for and/or
convertible into shares of Common Stock or another series of Preferred
Stock. Any Debt Securities may be exchangeable and/or convertible into
shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The Units may be issued
pursuant to a Unit Agreement (the “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and a
bank or trust company as unit agent. The Securities are being
registered for offering and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415
under the Securities Act.
In
rendering our opinions set forth below, we have reviewed the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto. We have also reviewed such corporate
documents and records of the Company, such certificates of public officials and
officers of the Company and such other matters as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have
assumed: (i) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of
all signatures; (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies; (iii) the truth, accuracy and completeness of
the information, representations and warranties contained in the instruments,
documents, certificates and records we have reviewed; and (iv) the legal
capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with
respect to all parties to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than
the Company, that such parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate
or otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments,
that such agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite
action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that
such agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable
obligations of such parties. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed
herein that were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon
oral or written statements and representations of officers and other
representatives of the Company.
NeoStem,
Inc.
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April
19, 2010
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Based on
the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications
set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With
respect to shares of Common Stock, when (a) the issuance and the terms of
the sale of the shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Company in conformity with the Company’s certificate of
incorporation and bylaws; (b) such shares have been issued and delivered
against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount in excess of the par
value thereof, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase,
underwriting or similar agreement, and as contemplated by the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement; and (c) to
the extent such shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the conversion,
exchange or exercise of any Preferred Stock, Warrants or Debt Securities, when
such shares have been duly issued and delivered as contemplated by the terms of
the applicable Preferred Stock, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Warrants
or the Indenture relating to such Debt Securities, respectively, the shares of
Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. With
respect to any particular series of shares of Preferred Stock, when (a) the
issuance and the terms of the sale of the shares of Preferred Stock have been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company in conformity with the
Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws; (b) an appropriate
certificate of designation relating to a series of the Preferred Stock to be
sold under the Registration Statement has been duly authorized and adopted and
filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware; (c) the terms of issuance
and sale of shares of such series of Preferred Stock have been duly established
in conformity with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws so as
not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement
or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its property; (d) such shares have been issued
and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount in
excess of the par value thereof, in accordance with the applicable definitive
purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement;
and (e) to the extent such shares of Preferred Stock are to be issued upon
the conversion, exchange or exercise of any Warrants or Debt Securities, when
such shares have been duly issued and delivered as contemplated by the terms of
the Warrant Agreement relating to such Warrants or Indenture relating to such
Debt Securities, respectively, the shares of Preferred Stock will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3.
With respect to Warrants, when (a) the issuance and the terms of the sale
of the Warrants have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the
Company; (b) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have
been duly established so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a
default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company
and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or
governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property;
(c) the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreement relating to the
Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned and the Warrants have been
issued and sold in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase,
underwriting or similar agreement, as contemplated by the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement; and
(d) the Company has received the applicable consideration for the Warrants
as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related
Prospectus Supplement(s), the Warrants will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms.
4. With
respect to Debt Securities, when (a) the issuance and the terms of the sale of
the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the
Company; (b) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale
have been duly established so as not to violate any applicable law or result in
a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the
Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or
governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property
the terms; (c) the Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture relating to the
Debt Securities have been duly executed and countersigned and in the case of the
Indenture, duly authenticated by the Trustee, and the Debt Securities have been
issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and the related Prospectus Supplement; and (d) the Company has received the
applicable consideration for the Debt Securities as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s),
the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms.
NeoStem,
Inc.
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April
19, 2010
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5. With
respect to Units, when (a) the issuance and the terms of the sale of the Units
have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company; (b) the
terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly established so
as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of
any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any
requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property; (c) the Unit Agreement and
the Units have been duly executed and countersigned and the Units have been
issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement, as
contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related
Prospectus Supplement; and (d) the Company has received the applicable
consideration for the Units as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), the Units will constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms.
In
rendering the opinions set forth above, we have assumed that (i) the
Registration Statement (and any applicable post-effective amendment thereto)
will have become effective under the Securities Act, a Prospectus Supplement
will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities
offered thereby and such Securities will have been issued and sold in accordance
with the terms of such Prospectus Supplement and in compliance with all
applicable laws; (ii) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar
agreement with respect to such Securities (if applicable) will have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto;
(iii) the Securities will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action by the Company and any agreement pursuant to which such Securities may be
issued will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the
other parties thereto; (iv) the Company is and will remain duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under applicable state law; and
(v) the Company has reserved a sufficient number of shares of its duly
authorized, but unissued, Common Stock and Preferred Stock as is necessary to
provide for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
pursuant to the Registration Statement.
The
opinions set forth above are subject to the following exceptions, limitations
and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including
without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair
dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive
relief, regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefore may be brought; (iii) the unenforceability under certain
circumstances under law or court decisions of provision providing for the
indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to at liability
where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy.
We express no opinion concerning the enforceability of any waiver of rights or
defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws. Our opinion
expressed herein is also subject to the qualification that no term or provision
shall be included in any certificate of designation relating to any series of
the Preferred Stock, Warrant Agreement, Indenture, Unit Agreement or any other
agreement or instrument pursuant to which any of the Securities are to be issued
that would affect the validity of such opinion.
Our
opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States and to the Delaware
General Corporation Law. We express no opinion as to the effect of the law
of any other jurisdiction. Our opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we
assume no obligation to advise you of changes in law or fact (or the effect
thereof on the opinions expressed herein) that hereafter may come to our
attention.
NeoStem,
Inc.
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April
19, 2010
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We hereby
consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration
Statement and to the references to our firm therein and in the Prospectus and in
any Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Legal Matters.” In
giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations thereunder.
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Very
truly yours,
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/s/ LOWENSTEIN
SANDLER PC
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We
hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) and the prospectus, which is
part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), of our report, dated
March 31, 2010, relating to the consolidated financial statements of NeoStem,
Inc. and its subsidiaries, which appears in NeoStem Inc.'s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration
Statement and Prospectus.
/s/ Holtz
Rubenstein Reminick LLP
Melville,
New York
April 19,
2010