EXHIBIT 4.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of
November 21, 2002, by and among 3M COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO., XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED (the "Initial Purchaser").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated
November 15, 2002 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Company, as issuer of
the Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2032 (the "XXXXx") and the Initial Purchaser,
which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Company to the Initial
Purchaser of the aggregate principal amount of XXXXx specified therein. In order
to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the
Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under
the Purchase Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Initial Purchaser, (i) for its
benefit as Initial Purchaser and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners
(including the Initial Purchaser) from time to time of the XXXXx, and the
beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as defined
herein) issued upon conversion of the XXXXx, if any, (each of the foregoing a
"Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Affiliate" With respect to any specified person, an "affiliate," as
defined in Rule 144, of such person.
"Applicable Conversion Price" The Applicable Conversion Price as of any
date of determination means the Applicable Principal Amount per $1,000 principal
amount of XXXXx as of such date of determination divided by the Conversion Rate
in effect as of such date of determination or, if no XXXXx are then outstanding,
the Conversion Rate that would be in effect were XXXXx then outstanding.
"Applicable Principal Amount" Applicable Principal Amount as of any
date of determination, with respect to each $1,000 principal amount of XXXXx
means the issue price of such XXXXx ($860.87) or, if no XXXXx are then
outstanding, such sum calculated as if such XXXXx were then outstanding.
"Business Day" Any day, other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
"Common Stock" The shares of common stock of the Company, par value
$.01 per share, and any other shares of common stock as may constitute "Common
Stock" for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.
"Company" See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
"Conversion Rate" Conversion Rate shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in the Indenture.
"Damages Accrual Period" See Section 2(e) hereof.
"Damages Payment Date" Each May 21st and November 21st.
"Deferral Notice" See Section 3(i) hereof.
"Deferral Period" See Section 3(i) hereof.
"Effectiveness Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof.
"Effectiveness Period" The period of two years from the Issue Date or
such shorter period ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have
ceased to be Registrable Securities.
"Event" See Section 2(e) hereof.
"Event Termination Date" See Section 2(e) hereof.
"Event Date" See Section 2(e) hereof.
"Exchange Act" The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
"Filing Deadline Date" See Section 2(a) hereof.
"Holder" See the second paragraph of this Agreement.
"Indenture" The Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, between the
Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, pursuant to which the XXXXx are being
issued.
"Initial Purchaser" See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
"Initial Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof.
"Issue Date" means November 21, 2002.
"Liquidated Damages Amount" See Section 2(e) hereof.
"XXXXx" See the second paragraph of this Agreement.
"Material Event" See Section 3(i) hereof.
"Notice and Questionnaire" A written notice delivered to the Company
containing substantially the information called for by the Selling
Securityholder Notice and
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Questionnaire attached as Annex A to the Offering Memorandum of the Company,
dated November 15, 2002, relating to the XXXXx.
"Notice Holder" On any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and
Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.
"Prospectus" The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including
post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus.
"Purchase Agreement" See the first paragraph of this Agreement.
"Record Holder" With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
any LYON or Underlying Common Stock as to which any Liquidated Damages Amount
has accrued, the registered holder of such LYON or Underlying Common Stock, as
the case may be, on the 15th day immediately preceding such Damages Payment
Date.
"Registrable Securities" The Securities, until such securities have
been converted or exchanged and, at all times subsequent to any such conversion
or exchange, any securities into or for which such securities have been
converted or exchanged, and any security issued with respect thereto upon any
stock dividend, split, merger or similar event until, in the case of any such
security, the earliest of (i) its effective registration under the Securities
Act and resale in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii)
expiration of the holding period that would be applicable thereto under Rule
144(k) were it not held by an Affiliate of the Company or (iii) its sale to the
public pursuant to Rule 144.
"Registration Expenses" See Section 5 hereof.
"Registration Statement" Any registration statement of the Company that
covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all materials incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
"Restricted Securities" As this term is defined in Rule 144.
"Rule 144" Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.
"Rule 144A" Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC.
"SEC" The Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" Collectively means the XXXXx and the Underlying Common
Stock.
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"Securities Act" The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
"Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(a) hereof.
"Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement" See Section 2(b) hereof.
"TIA" The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
"Trustee" Citibank, N.A. (or any successor entity), the Trustee under
the Indenture.
"Underlying Common Stock" The Common Stock into which the XXXXx are
convertible or issued upon any such conversion or payment of the purchase price
of a purchase of XXXXx.
SECTION 2. Shelf Registration.
(a) The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared
and filed with the SEC no later than a date which is ninety (90) days after the
Issue Date (the "Filing Deadline Date") a Registration Statement for an offering
to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the
Securities Act (a "Shelf Registration Statement") registering the resale from
time to time by Holders thereof of all of the Registrable Securities (the
"Initial Shelf Registration Statement"). The Initial Shelf Registration
Statement shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting
registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such Holders in
accordance with the methods of distribution reasonably elected by the Holders
and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement; provided, that in no
event will such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten
offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior agreement of the
Company. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the
date (the "Effectiveness Deadline Date") that is one hundred and eighty (180)
days after the Issue Date, and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
(or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective under
the Securities Act until the expiration of the Effectiveness Period subject to
the rights of the Company under Section 3(i) to create a Deferral Period. At the
time the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder
that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the date 10 Business Days prior to
such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling securityholder in the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner
as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable
Securities in accordance with applicable law under ordinary circumstances,
subject to compliance with blue sky laws. None of the Company's securityholders
(other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right to
include any of the Company's securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent
Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective other than during a Deferral
Period for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company
shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within thirty (30)
days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement
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in a manner reasonably expected by the Company to obtain the withdrawal of the
order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf
Registration Statement covering all of the Securities that as of the date of
such filing are Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration
Statement"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company
shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration
Statement to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after such
filing, unless during a Deferral Period, or, if filed during a Deferral Period,
after the expiration of a Deferral Period, and to keep such Registration
Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective
until the end of the Effectiveness Period.
(c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration
Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement,
if required by the Securities Act or, to the extent to which the Company does
not reasonably object, as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or by
the Trustee on behalf of the registered Holders.
(d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such
Holder wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration
Statement and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this
Section 2(d) and Section 3(i). Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to
sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company
at least ten (10) Business Days prior to any intended distribution of
Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after
the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, the
Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date a Notice and
Questionnaire is delivered, (i) if required by applicable law, file with the SEC
a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and,
if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a
supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or
file any other document required by the SEC so that the Holder delivering such
Notice and Questionnaire is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit
such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable
Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a
post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable
efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective under
the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable; (ii) provide such
Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); and (iii)
notify such Holder as promptly as reasonably practicable after the effectiveness
under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Section 2(d)(i); provided, that if such Notice and Questionnaire is delivered
during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder delivering such
Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in accordance with
Section 3(i), provided, further, that if under applicable law the Company has
more than one option as to the type or manner of making any such filing, as set
forth in an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters
delivered by the Holder to the Company, it will make the required filing or
filings in the manner or of a type that is reasonably expected to result in the
earliest availability of the Prospectus for effecting resales of Registrable
Securities unless such option would be adverse to the Company or result in
increased costs. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the
Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder
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that is not a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder in any Registration
Statement or related Prospectus; provided, however, that any Holder that becomes
a Notice Holder pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(d) of this Agreement
(whether or not such Holder was a Notice Holder at the time the Registration
Statement was initially declared effective) shall be named as a selling
securityholder in the Registration Statement or related Prospectus subject to
and in accordance with the requirements of this Section 2(d).
(e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable
Securities will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain
the extent of such damages with precision, if (i) the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date, (ii) the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the
Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date, or (iii) the
aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days
permitted in respect of such period pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof (each of the
events of a type described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are
individually referred to herein as an "Event," and the Filing Deadline Date in
the case of clause (i), the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause
(ii), and the date on which the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any
period exceeds the number of days permitted by Section 3(i) hereof in the case
of clause (iii), being referred to herein as an "Event Date"). Events shall be
deemed to continue until the "Event Termination Date," which shall be the
following dates with respect to the respective types of Events: the date the
Initial Shelf Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the
type described in clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
is declared effective under the Securities Act in the case of an Event of the
type described in clause (ii), termination of the Deferral Period that caused
the limit on the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a period set forth in
Section 3(i) to be exceeded in the case of the commencement of an Event of the
type described in clause (iii).
Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and
ending on (but excluding) the next date on which there are no Events that have
occurred and are continuing (a "Damages Accrual Period"), the Company agrees to
pay, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount (the "Liquidated
Damages Amount"), payable on the Damages Payment Dates to Record Holders of then
outstanding XXXXx that are Registrable Securities or of then outstanding shares
of Underlying Common Stock issued upon conversion of XXXXx that are Registrable
Securities, if any, as the case may be, accruing, for each portion of such
Damages Accrual Period beginning on and including a Damages Payment Date (or, in
respect of the first time that the Liquidation Damages Amount is to be paid to
Holders on a Damages Payment Date as a result of the occurrence of any
particular Event occurring since the most recent Damages Payment Event, from the
Event Date) and ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of
the end of the Damages Accrual Period or (B) the next Damages Payment Date, at a
rate per annum equal to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) for the first 90-day
period from the Event Date, and thereafter at a rate per annum equal to one-half
of one percent (0.5%) of the aggregate Applicable Principal Amount of such XXXXx
to the Record Holder of the then outstanding XXXXx that are Registrable
Securities or the aggregate Applicable Conversion Price of the shares of
Underlying Common Stock to the Record Holder of the then outstanding shares of
Underlying Common Stock that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in
each case determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the next
Damages Payment Date; provided, that any Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with
respect to any LYON or portion thereof called for redemption on a redemption
date or converted into Underlying Common Stock
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on a conversion date prior to the Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such
event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such LYON or portion thereof
for redemption or conversion on the applicable redemption date or conversion
date, as the case may be, on such date (or promptly following the conversion
date, in the case of conversion). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated
Damages Amounts shall accrue as to any Registrable Security from and after the
earlier of (x) the date such security is no longer a Registrable Security and
(y) expiration of the Effectiveness Period. The rate of accrual of the
Liquidated Damages Amount with respect to any period shall not exceed the rate
provided for in this paragraph notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple
concurrent Events. Following the cure of all Events requiring the payment by the
Company of Liquidated Damages Amounts to the Holders of Registrable Securities
pursuant to this Section, the accrual of Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease
(without in any way limiting the effect of any subsequent Event requiring the
payment of the Liquidated Damages Amount by the Company ) and accrued and unpaid
Liquidated Damages will be paid in cash to the date of such cure to the Holder
of record as of the date of such cure on the immediately succeeding Damages
Payment Date.
The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of Holders of XXXXx or
Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of
this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole remedy for a
violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which liquidated
damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages.
All of the Company's obligations set forth in this Section 2(e)
that are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such
Security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as
all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full
(notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(j)).
The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for
in this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be
incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the
Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for
effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions
hereof.
SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration
obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall:
(a) Before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, furnish to the Initial Purchaser
copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use reasonable efforts to
reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC such comments as the
Initial Purchaser reasonably shall propose.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to
keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable
period specified in Section 2(a); cause the related Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the
Securities Act; and use reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act
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applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by
such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with
the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) As promptly as reasonably practicable give notice to the
Notice Holders and the Initial Purchaser (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus
supplement (except a Prospectus Supplement filed with the SEC solely to amend
the selling security holder table), Registration Statement or post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has been declared effective, by release made to Reuters Economic Services
and Bloomberg Business News or other reasonable means of distribution, including
by notice posted on the Company's website on the worldwide web, (ii) of any
request, following the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental
authority for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or
any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening
of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the occurrence of (but not the nature of or details concerning)
a Material Event (provided, however, that no notice by the Company shall be
required pursuant to this clause (v) in the event that the Company either
promptly files a Prospectus supplement to update the Prospectus or a Form 8-K or
other appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement, which, in either case, contains the requisite
information with respect to such Material Event that results in such
Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material
fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading) and (vi) of the determination by the Company
that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement will be filed with
the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the Company (or as required
pursuant to Section 3(i)), state that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which
event the provisions of Section 3(i) shall apply.
(d) Use reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any
suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been
qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment or, if a
Deferral Period is in effect, at the earliest possible moment after the Deferral
Period.
(e) If reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or any
Notice Holder, as promptly as reasonably practicable incorporate in a Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such
information as the Initial Purchaser or such Notice Holder shall, on the basis
of an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters,
determine to be required to be included therein by applicable law and make any
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment;
provided, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this
Section 3(e) that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company,
in compliance with applicable law.
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(f) As promptly as reasonably practicable furnish to each Notice
Holder and the Initial Purchaser, upon their request and without charge, at
least one (1) conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto, including financial statements, but excluding schedules, all documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits
(unless requested in writing to the Company by such Notice Holder or the Initial
Purchaser, as the case may be).
(g) During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice
Holder in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or
Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary
prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may
reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods
that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of
such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in
connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth
therein.
(h) Subject to Section 3(i), prior to any public offering of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use
reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders
in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such
registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United
States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be
included in the Notice and Questionnaire) it being agreed that no such
registration or qualification will be made unless so requested; prior to any
public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, use reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period
in connection with such Notice Holder's offer and sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do
any and all other acts or things necessary to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the
relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided, that the
Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it is not otherwise qualified but
for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general
service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is
not then so subject.
(i) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of
proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d)
or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence
of any fact (a "Material Event") as a result of which any Registration Statement
shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence
of any corporate development that, in the discretion of the Company, makes it
appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and
the
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related Prospectus, (i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the next
sentence, as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare and file a
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any
other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such
Registration Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder,
and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement,
subject to the next sentence, use reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared
effective as promptly as is reasonably practicable, and (ii) give notice to the
Notice Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is
suspended (a "Deferral Notice") and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each
Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement until such Notice Holder's receipt of copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it
is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company will use all
reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x)
in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as reasonably practicable, (y) in
the case of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company,
public disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary
to the interests of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or
expense, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of
clause (C) above, as soon as, in the discretion of the Company, such suspension
is no longer appropriate. The period during which the availability of the
Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended (the "Deferral Period")
shall, without the Company incurring any obligation to pay liquidated damages
pursuant to Section 2(e), not exceed forty-five (45) days in any three (3) month
period or ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period.
(j) If reasonably requested in writing in connection with a
disposition of Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering pursuant to a
Registration Statement, make reasonably available for inspection during normal
business hours by a representative for the Notice Holders of such Registrable
Securities and any broker-dealers, attorneys and accountants retained by such
Notice Holders, all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the
appropriate executive officers, directors and designated employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries to make reasonably available for inspection during
normal business hours all relevant information reasonably requested by such
representative for the Notice Holders or any such broker-dealers, attorneys or
accountants in connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary
for similar "due diligence" examinations; provided, however, that such persons
shall first agree in writing with the Company that any information that is
reasonably designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time of
delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such persons and
shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising rights under this Agreement
and such person shall comply with applicable securities laws, unless (i)
disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or
is necessary to respond to inquiries of
10
regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law
(including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in
connection with the filing of any Registration Statement or the use of any
Prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such information becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or
failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such information becomes
available to any such person from a source other than the Company and such
source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement; and provided further, that
the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall, to the greatest extent
possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the Notice Holders and the other
parties entitled thereto by the counsel referred to in Section 5.
(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC
and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which
need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under
the Securities Act) no later than 90 days after the end of the first 12-month
period constituting a fiscal year commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the first fiscal year of the Company commencing after the
effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said
12-month periods.
(l) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities
sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and cause such Registrable Securities
to be in such denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in
such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least two Business
Days prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities.
(m) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered
by each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement and provide the Trustee for the XXXXx and the transfer
agent for the Common Stock with certificates for the Registrable Securities that
are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.
(n) Make reasonable effort to provide such information as is
required for any filings required to be made with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
(o) Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement, announce the same, in each case by release to Reuters Economic
Services and Bloomberg Business News or other reasonable means of distribution.
(p) Enter into such customary agreements and take all such other
reasonable necessary actions in connection therewith (including those reasonably
requested by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold)
in order to expedite or facilitate disposition of such Registrable Securities;
provided that the Company shall not be required to take any action in connection
with an underwritten offering without its consent; and
(q) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of any Registration Statement; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the Trustee to effect such changes to the Indenture as
may be required for the Indenture to be so
11
qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use
reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be
required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to
be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely
manner.
SECTION 4. Holder's Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of
the Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be
entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has
furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to
Section 2(d) hereof (including the information required to be included in such
Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence.
Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information
required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished
to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading and any other information
regarding such Notice Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities
as may be required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement under
applicable law or pursuant to SEC comments. Each Holder further agrees,
following termination of the Effectiveness Period, to notify the Company within
10 business days of request, of the amount of Registrable Securities sold
pursuant to the Registration Statement and, in the absence of a response, the
Company may assume that all of the Holder's Registrable Securities were so sold.
SECTION 5. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its
obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement whether or not any of the
Registration Statements are declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall
include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be
made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of
compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws to the extent such
filings or compliance are required pursuant to this Agreement (including,
without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the counsel specified
in the next sentence in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Notice
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement may designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities
in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii)
duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or
Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, and
(v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and of the
registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock. In addition, the Company
shall bear or reimburse the Notice Holders for the fees and disbursements of one
firm of legal counsel for the Holders, which shall be Sidley Xxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx
LLP or another nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities law
matters designated by the Company and consented to by the Initial Purchaser
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, the Company
shall pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange on which the same securities of
12
the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including
special experts, retained by the Company.
SECTION 6. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchaser and each Holder of Registrable Securities and each person, if any, who
controls the Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities within
the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate
amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation
or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
omission, provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such
settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the
Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
(including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the
Initial Purchaser), reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any
such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue
statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not
paid under (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Initial Purchaser, such Holder of Registrable Securities (which also
acknowledges the indemnity provisions herein) or any person, if any, who
controls the Initial Purchaser or any such Holder of Registrable Securities
expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or
any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to
any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (1) arising from an offer or sale
of Registrable Securities occurring during a Deferral Period, if a Deferral
Notice
13
was given to such Notice Holder in accordance with Section 8(b), or (2) if the
Holder fails to deliver at or prior to the written confirmation of sale, the
most recent Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and such Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, would have corrected such untrue statement or omission
or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration in which a Holder,
including, without limitation, the Initial Purchaser, of Registrable Securities
is participating, in furnishing information relating to such Holder of
Registrable Securities to the Company in writing expressly for use in such
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto, the Holders of such Registrable Securities
agree, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchaser within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act and the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of either such Section, against any and all loss, liability, claim,
damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of
this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
such Holder of Registrable Securities (which also acknowledges the indemnity
provisions herein) or any person, if any, who controls any such Holder of
Registrable Securities expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any
amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).
The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, the Holders of Registrable Securities, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or any Holder of Registrable Securities within the meaning
of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the
indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only
with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or
omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by the Initial Purchaser expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as
reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced
against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to
so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from
any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a
result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. The indemnifying
party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any
others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such indemnified
14
party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have
mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to
any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties
by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not,
in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any
proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a)
the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel), whose fees must be reasonable, for the Initial Purchaser, Holders of
Registrable Securities, and all persons, if any, who control the Initial
Purchaser or Holders of Registrable Securities within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, collectively
(b) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
local counsel), whose fees must be reasonable, for the Company and each person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and
that all fees and expenses payable under (a) and (b) above shall be reimbursed
as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Initial
Purchaser, Holders of Registrable Securities, and control persons of the Initial
Purchaser and Holders of Registrable Securities, such firm shall be designated
in writing by the Initial Purchaser. In the case of any such separate firm for
the Company and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in
writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if
settled with such consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the
plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from
and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in
respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this
Section 6 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential
parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include
a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by
or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying
party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30
days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such
request prior to the date of such settlement; provided, that an indemnifying
party shall not be liable for any such settlement effected without its consent
if such indemnifying party (1) reimburses such indemnified party in accordance
with such request to the extent it considers such request to be reasonable and
(2) provides written notice to the indemnified party substantiating the unpaid
balance as unreasonable, in each case prior to the date of such settlement.
15
(e) If the indemnification to which an indemnified party is
entitled under this Section 6 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient
although applicable in accordance with its terms to hold harmless an indemnified
party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses
referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties
on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities,
claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.
The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders
of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser on the other hand shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the
Holder of the Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 6(e). The
aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses incurred
by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 6(e) shall be
deemed to include any out-of-pocket legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, neither the
Holder of any Registrable Securities nor the Initial Purchaser, shall be
required to indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which
the total price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such Holder of
Registrable Securities or by the Initial Purchaser, as the case may be, and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages that such Holder of Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchaser has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 6(e), each person, if any, who
controls the Initial Purchaser or any Holder of Registrable Securities within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Initial Purchaser or such
Holder, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as the Company, as the case may be.
16
SECTION 7. Information Requirements. The Company covenants that, if at
any time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject
to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Company will cooperate
with any Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable
action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing
(including, without limitation, making such reasonable representations as any
such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to
time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration
under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by
Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily taken in
connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written request of
any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a
written statement as to whether the Company has complied with such filing
requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the Company's most
recent report required to be filed and filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7
shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities under
any section of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 8. Miscellaneous; No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is
not, as of the date hereof, a party to, nor shall the Company, on or after the
date of this Agreement, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities
that conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities
in this Agreement. The Company represents and warrants that the rights granted
to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict
with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other issued and
outstanding securities under any other agreements.
(a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of a majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock constituting
Registrable Securities (with Holders of XXXXx deemed to be the Holders, for
purposes of this Section, of the number of outstanding shares of Underlying
Common Stock into which such XXXXx are or would be convertible or exchangeable
as of the date on which such consent is requested). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable
Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement
and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of
Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the
Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration
Statement; provided, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended,
modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable Securities
outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver
or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(a), whether or
not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is
delivered to such Holder.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by
courier guaranteeing
17
overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt requested, and shall
be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation,
if made by telecopier, (iii) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with
such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the date indicated on the
notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the parties as follows:
(w) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities that is not a Notice
Holder, at the address for such Holder then appearing in the Registrar (as
defined in the Indenture);
(x) if to a Notice Holder, at the most current address given by
such Holder to the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment
thereto;
(y) if to the Company, to:
3M Company
0X Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx 000-00X-00
Xx. Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Vice President and Treasurer
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
and
(z) if to the Initial Purchaser, to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co.,
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Investment Banking
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons
identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.
(c) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of
Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required
hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such
term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial
Purchaser or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent
Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of
such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such
consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(d) Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any
Registrable Securities from the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed, for purposes
of this Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchaser. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of
each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each
Holder of any Registrable Securities.
18
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(f) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(g) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(h) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to
find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the
same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or
restriction, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the
parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(i) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties
as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights
granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as
provided in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein,
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to
the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
undertakings among the parties solely with respect to such registration rights.
(j) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the
parties hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period,
except for any liabilities or obligations under Sections 4, 5 or 6 hereof and
the obligations to make payments of and provide for Liquidated Damages under
Section 2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the
Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with
its terms.
19
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
3M COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Accepted as of the date
first above written:
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED
By: XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
--------------------------
Authorized Signatory
