EXHBIT 4.3
Allied Waste North America, Inc.
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$600,000,000
8 7/8% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2008
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of January 30, 2001
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Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Barney Inc.
Deutsche Banc alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers Inc.
UBS Warburg LLC
ABN Amro Incorporated
Banc One Capital Markets Inc.
CIBC World Markets Corp.
Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.
First Union securities, inc.
Fleet Securities, Inc.
and
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of January 30, 2001, by and among Allied Waste North America, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), by each of the entities listed on Schedule
A hereto (each, a "Guarantor" and, collectively, the "Guarantors"), and Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation (acting through its affiliate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation), ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (a division of Chase Securities
Inc.), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc., Deutsche Banc Alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Inc., ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Brothers Inc., UBS Warburg LLC, ABN AMRO Incorporated, Banc One Capital Markets
Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc., First
Union Securities, Inc., Fleet Securities, Inc. and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
(each, an "Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), each
of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 8 7/8% Senior Secured Notes due
2008 (the "Series A Notes") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined
below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated January
25, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Guarantors
and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to
purchase the Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers under the Purchase
Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture Supplement (the "Indenture
Supplement"), dated as of the date hereof, to the Indenture dated December 23,
1998, among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank and Trust, N.A., as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), relating to the Notes (the "Base Indenture" and,
together with the Indenture Supplement, the "Indenture").
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1 DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Business Day: Any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day in the City of
New York, or in the city of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, on which
banks are authorized to close.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
Certificated Securities: As defined in the Indenture.
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Closing Date: The date hereof.
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Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes of
this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under the
Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B Notes
to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Registration
Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for
a period not less than the period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof and
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(c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B
Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount
of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
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Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
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Electing Holder: Any holder of Series A Notes that has supplied
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the information requested by the Company in accordance with Section 4(b).
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such
exchange and issuance.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
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relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose to
sell the Series A Notes (i) to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, or (ii) outside the United States in
reliance upon Regulation S under the Act to non-U.S. persons.
Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
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Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
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Notes: The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.
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Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time
such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or supplemented by
any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such
Prospectus.
Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
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Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
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Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company and the
Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange
Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) which is filed
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus
included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including
post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by
reference therein.
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Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
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Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
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Series B Notes: The Company's 8 7/8% Series B Senior Notes due
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2008 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or
(ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
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Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
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as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each (A) Series A Note, until the earliest
to occur of (i) the date on which such Series A Note is exchanged in the
Exchange Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the public
by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act, (ii) the date on which such Series A Note has been
disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the
purchasers thereof have been issued Series B Notes), or (iii) the date on which
such Series A Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Act and each (B) Series B Note held by a Broker-Dealer until the date on which
such Series B Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).
2 HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
3 REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal
law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied
with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable
after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 120 days after the Closing
Date (such 120th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii) use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective
at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 210 days after the
Closing Date (such 210th day being the "Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in
connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it
to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and
(C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and
(iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the
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appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered
in exchange for the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and
(ii) resales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange
Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a
result of market making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts
to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously,
and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum
period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate
the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be
less than 30 days. The Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer
to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities
other than the Series B Notes and the Guarantees shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors shall use
their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on
the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
has become effective, but in no event later than 45 days thereafter (such 45th
day being the "Consummation Deadline").
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the
date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available
July 2, 1993).
Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus
delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of
Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors agree to use
their respective best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and
subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with
the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and
regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of 90
days from the Consummation Deadline. The Company and the Guarantors shall
provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such
Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day after
such request, at any time during such period.
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4 SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law (after the Company and the Guarantors have complied with the
procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20 Business Days following
the Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder was prohibited by
law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such
Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to
the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such
resales by such Holder, then the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i)
the date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above
and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in
clause (a)(ii) above (such earlier date, the "Filing Deadline"), a shelf
registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an
amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "Shelf
Registration Statement")), relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities,
and
(y) use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf
Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 120 days after
the Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement (such 120th day,
the "Effectiveness Deadline").
If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required
to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause
(a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that,
in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y).
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required
to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company and
the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to keep any Shelf
Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective,
supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions
of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time, for a period of at least two years (as extended
pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the date on which such Shelf Registration
Statement first becomes effective under the Act or such shorter period that will
terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement or are eligible for resale under Rule 144(k) of the Act.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
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Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Items 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to Special Interest pursuant to Section
5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such information.
Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information required
to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the
Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
5 SPECIAL INTEREST
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any
Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared
effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective (except as specifically
permitted herein) or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being
succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration
Statement that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared
effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a
"Registration Default" and each period during which a Registration Default has
occurred and is continuing, a "Registration Default Period"), then the Company
and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages as special
interest ("Special Interest") in an amount which shall accrue at a per annum
rate of 0.25% for the first 90 days of the Registration Default Period, at a per
annum rate of 0.50% for the second 90 days of the Registration Default Period,
at a per annum rate of 0.75% for the third 90 days of the Registration Default
Period and at a per annum rate of 1.0% thereafter for the remaining portion of
the Registration Default Period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i)
above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii)
above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above,
or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or an additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement)
to again be declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the
Special Interest payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a
result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), or (5) once the Transfer
Restricted Securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144(k) of the Act, as
applicable, shall cease (at which time the interest rate shall be restored to
its initial rate).
All accrued Special Interest shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto,
in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on each
Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Notes.
Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which Special Interest is due
cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the Company and
the Guarantors to pay Special Interest with respect to securities shall survive
until such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have
been satisfied in full.
6
6 REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange
Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall (x) use their respective best
efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Series B Notes by
Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such
Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and (y) comply with
all of the following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change in
Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange
Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a
substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek
a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing
the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such
Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree
to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but
shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a
change of Commission policy. In connection with the foregoing, the Company
and the Guarantors hereby agree to take all such other reasonable actions
as may be requested by the Commission or otherwise required in connection
with the issuance of such decision, including without limitation (A)
participating in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) delivering
to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company
setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has
concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C)
diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the
Commission staff.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
representation to the Company and the Guarantors (which may be contained in
the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company,
(B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
(C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business.
As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder
using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Series B
Notes shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B
Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under
Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the
position of the Commission enunciated in ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co., Inc.
(available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available
7
May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman &
Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above),
and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction
and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Items 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall, if requested by the staff
of the Commission, provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (A)
stating that the Company and the Guarantors are registering the Exchange
Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in Exxon
Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the Commission's
letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any
no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a
representation that neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered into
any arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the Series B
Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the
Company's and each Guarantor's information and belief, each Holder
participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Series B Notes in its
ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with
any Person to participate in the distribution of the Series B Notes
received in the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking or
representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action
letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable.
(iv) to cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the Registration Statement and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such
changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be
qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute and use its
best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be
required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required
to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified
in a timely manner.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement.
(i) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company
and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c)
below and use their respective best efforts to effect such registration to
permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as
indicated in the information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section
4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantors will
prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to
the registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be
available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance
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with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time
periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof, and
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A
Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the
Company shall register Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement
for this purpose and issue the Series B Notes to the purchaser(s) of
securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such
purchaser(s) shall designate.
(c) General Shelf Provisions. In connection with any Shelf Registration
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Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company and
the Guarantors shall:
(i) use their respective best efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial
statements for the period specified in Sections 3 or 4 of this Agreement,
as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such
Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain
an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) not to be
effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during
the period required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall
file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement
curing such defect, and, if Commission review is required, use their
respective best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as
soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may suspend
the offering and sales under the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
subsequent to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf
Registration Statement for up to 60 days in each year during which such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be effective and
usable hereunder subsequent to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer or
such Shelf Registration Statement is required to be effective and usable
hereunder (measured from the date of effectiveness of such Shelf
Registration Statement to successive anniversaries thereof) if (A) either
(y)(I) the Company shall be engaged in a material acquisition or
disposition and (II)(aa) such acquisition or disposition is required to be
disclosed in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement, the related Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or the failure by the Company to disclose such
transaction in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement or related Prospectus, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, as then amended or supplemented, would cause such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement,
Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, to contain an untrue
statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statement therein not misleading, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, (bb) information regarding the
existence of such acquisition or disposition has not then been publicly
9
disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and (cc) a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Company determines in the exercise of its good faith
judgment that disclosure of such acquisition or disposition would not be in
the best interest of the Company or would have a material adverse effect on
the consummation of such acquisition or disposition or (z) a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Company determines in the exercise of its
good faith judgment that compliance with the disclosure obligations set
forth in this Section 6(c)(i) would otherwise have a material adverse
effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (B) the
Company notifies the Holders within two business days after such Board of
Directors makes the relevant determination set forth in clause (A);
provided, however, that in each such case the applicable period specified
in Section 3 (subsequent to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer) and
Section 4 hereof during which the applicable Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement is required to be kept effective
and usable shall be extended by the number of days during which such
effectiveness was suspended pursuant to the foregoing and Special Interest
shall not apply during any period the Company is permitted to suspend
offerings and sales under this sentence;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may
be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the
applicable period set forth in Sections 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be;
cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus
supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under
the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable,
under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act
with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth
in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder,
confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to
any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the
Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating
thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the
suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or
the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of
the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document
incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of
any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order to make
the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the making of any
10
additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state
securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order
suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the
Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
time;
(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by
Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or
file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) furnish to each Holder, who shall certify to the Company that they
have a present intention to sell Transfer Restricted Securities in
connection with such exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the
Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included
therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement
or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the
initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be
subject to the review and comment of such Holders in connection with such
sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company
will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus
(including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which such
Holders shall reasonably object within five Business Days after the receipt
thereof;
(vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus,
provide copies of such document to each Holder in connection with such
exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's and the Guarantors'
representatives available for discussion of such document and other
customary due diligence matters, and include such information in such
document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably
request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each
Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders who shall
certify to the Company that they have a current intention to sell the
Transfer Restricted Securities, all financial and other records, pertinent
corporate documents of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the
Company's and the Guarantors' officers, directors and employees to supply
all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, attorney or
11
accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior
to its effectiveness, in the reasonable judgment of counsel for the
Company, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of
Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party
shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any
other person any information or records designated by the Company in
writing as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information
becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in
such registration statement or otherwise), or (B) such person shall be
required, or shall deem it advisable, so to disclose such information
pursuant to the subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency
or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirement of
such order, and only after such person shall have given the Company prompt
prior written notice thereof), or (C) such information is required to be
set forth in such registration statement or the prospectus included therein
or in an amendment to such registration statement or an amendment or
supplement to such prospectus in order that such registration statement,
prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be, does not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or
sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such
information as such Holders may reasonably request to have included
therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the "Plan
of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be
included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(ix) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale,
without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first
filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including, at the
request of such Holder, all documents incorporated by reference therein and
all exhibits (including, at the request of such Holder, exhibits
incorporated therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company and
the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder
in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto;
12
(xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) and make such representations and
warranties and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order
to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement contemplated
by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by any Holder in
connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any applicable Registration
Statement. In such connection, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of paragraphs
(2) and (3), use its best efforts to cause to be furnished) to each Holder:
upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the
Company and each Guarantor by (x) the President or any Vice President
and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and
such Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set
forth in Sections 6(y), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase Agreement and
such other similar matters as such Holder may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange
Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the
Guarantors covering matters similar to those set forth in Exhibit A of
the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such Holder may
reasonably request, including the last paragraph of Exhibit A relating
to the Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as the case may be; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation of
the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the Company's
independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set
forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(g) of the
Purchase Agreement; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably
requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance with the matters
covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in
any agreement entered into by the Company and the Guarantors pursuant to
this clause (xi);
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the
registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling
Holders may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or
13
advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement;
provided, however, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be
required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not
now so qualified but for the requirements of this clause (xii) or to take
any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to
taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject,
or make any changes to their respective certificates of incorporation or
by-laws or any agreement between the Company and its stockholders or the
Guarantors and their stockholders;
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities
that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to
be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such
Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the
selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale
of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xiv) use their respective best efforts to cause the disposition of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to
be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to
consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject
to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not
later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture
with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are
in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
(xvi) otherwise use their respective best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders with regard to any applicable
Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited)
covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the
Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule
158 under the Act);
(xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for
such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA;
and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all
documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms
14
and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and
(xviii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document
filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a
"Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement
until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "Recommencement
Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will
either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more
recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's
possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that
was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period
regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Sections
3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the
number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the
Suspension Notice to the date of delivery of the Recommencement Date.
7 REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and the Guarantors' performance
of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and
expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities
laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the
Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses),
messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with
listing the Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or automated
quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the
Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters
required by or incident to such performance). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered shall pay all agency
fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to
the sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities and the fees and disbursements
of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally
or jointly), other than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.
15
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of
any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.
8 INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each
Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, (including without limitation, any
reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or
defending any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment
or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective
purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused by any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as (x) such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are
caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission that is based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished
in writing to the Company by any of the Holders or (y) such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering
Memorandum, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if such material misstatement or omission or alleged
material misstatement or omission was cured in the Final Offering Memorandum, as
so amended or supplemented.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and
their respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls
(within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act)
the Company, or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from the Company and the Guarantors set forth in section (a) above, but only
with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to
the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In
case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the
Guarantors or any of their directors or officers or any such controlling person
in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the
Company and the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 8; and the Company and the
Guarantors, such directors or officers or such controlling person shall have the
right and duties given to each Holder pursuant to this Section 8. In no event
shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder
be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total amount received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person
16
who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the
defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate
counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder).
Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the
employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by
the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume
the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying
party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties and all such reasonable fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a
majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to
Section 8(a), and by the Company and Guarantors, in the case of parties
indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall not be
obligated to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any
settlement of any action effected without the indemnifying party's written
consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect
of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity or
contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified
party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims that
are or could have been the subject matter of such action 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 the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8
is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
17
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale
of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause
8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above
but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand,
and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on
the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company or such Guarantor, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the other hand,
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or
payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a), any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any
action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its
directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages which such Holder 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 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders'
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in
proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.
9 UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold pursuant to an
underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be
designated by the Company.
18
(b) Participation by Holders. Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
hereby agrees with each other such Holder that no such Holder may participate in
any underwritten offering hereunder unless such Holder (i) agrees to sell such
Holder's Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, under writing agreements and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
10 RULE 144A and RULE 144
The Company and each Guarantor agrees with each Holder, for so long as any
Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which
the Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or
beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale
thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities
designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in
order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule
144.
11 MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that any
failure by the Company and the Guarantors to comply with their respective
obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable
injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate
remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries
precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or
any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the
Company's and the Guarantors' obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The
Company and the Guarantors further agree to waive the defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor will,
on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to
its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in
this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Neither the
Company nor any Guarantor has previously entered into any agreement granting any
registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights
granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of the Company's and the
Guarantors' securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
19
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights
of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to
such Exchange Offer.
(d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries
to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the
one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the
right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company or the Guarantors:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, Esq.
With a copy to:
Fried, Frank, Harris, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
20
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment,
transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of
the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set
forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(g) 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 an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final
expression of their agreement and 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. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
ALLIED WASTE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ALLIED WASTE INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
EACH ENTITY LISTED ON SCHEDULE A,
as Guarantors
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is
hereby confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written by Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation on behalf of the Initial Purchasers.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
By:
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Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By:
----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE A
Guarantors
