REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT by and among Duane Reade Acquisition Corp. and Banc of America Securities LLC Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Exhibit 4.6

EXECUTION COPY

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

Xxxxx Xxxxx Acquisition Corp.

and

Banc of America Securities LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC

UBS Securities LLC

Dated as of July 30, 2004

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of July 30, 2004, by and among Xxxxx Xxxxx Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (which will be merged with and into Xxxxx Xxxxx Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Xxxxx Xxxxx”), upon consummation of the Acquisition (as defined herein) with Xxxxx Xxxxx as the survivor) (the “Company”), and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, and UBS Securities LLC (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company’s 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the “Initial Securities”).

This Agreement is made pursuant to the (i) Purchase Agreement, dated July 23, 2004, by and among the Initial Purchasers and the Company, and the (ii) Purchase Agreement, dated July 23, 2004, by and between Banc of America Securities LLC and the Company ((i) and (ii) together, the “Purchase Agreement”) (a) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (b) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Initial Securities, including the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial Securities, 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 set forth in Section 5(h) of the Purchase Agreement.

The Initial Securities are being issued as part of the financing to effect the Acquisition.

Upon consummation of the Acquisition (the “Acquisition Closing Date”), the Company shall cause (1) each of Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxx GP, a New York general partnership (“Xxxxx Xxxxx GP”) to execute supplemental indentures to the Indenture, pursuant to which each of them will become a co-obligor of all the obligations of the Company under the Initial Securities and the Indenture, (2) each of the direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries of Xxxxx Xxxxx (other than Xxxxx Xxxxx GP) (collectively, the “Guarantors”) to execute supplemental indentures to the Indenture, pursuant to which each of the Guarantors will fully and unconditionally guarantee (collectively, the “Guarantees”) all the obligations of the Company and Xxxxx Xxxxx GP under the Initial Securities and the Indenture, and (3) each of Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and the Guarantors to become parties hereto and to the Purchase Agreement pursuant to joinder agreements substantially in the form attached to the Purchase Agreement as Exhibit C (the “Joinder Agreements”).

The parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Acquisition: The acquisition of Xxxxx Xxxxx by an investor group led by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. through the merger of the Company into Xxxxx Xxxxx.

Acquisition Closing Date: As defined in the recitals hereto.

Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Xxxxx Xxxxx: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Xxxxx Xxxxx GP: As defined in the recitals hereto.

Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exchange Securities: The 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011, of the same series under the Indenture as the Initial Securities, to be issued to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

Guarantors: As defined in the recitals hereto.

Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.

Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2004, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and, upon consummation of the

Acquisition, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and the Guarantors, pursuant to which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchaser: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Initial Placement: The issuance and sale by the Company of the Initial Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Initial Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Securities.

NASD: NASD Inc.

Participating Broker-Dealer: Any of the Initial Purchasers and any other Broker-Dealer which makes a market in the Initial Securities and exchanges Transfer Restricted Securities in the Exchange Offer for Exchange Securities.

Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, 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.

Purchase Agreement: As defined in the recitals hereto.

Registration Actions: As defined in Section 4(c) hereof.

Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

Securities: The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933.

Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 4(c) hereof.

Suspension Period: As defined in Section 4(c) hereof.

Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Initial Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Security is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, (b) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Initial Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Section 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement.

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “Holder”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

Section 3. Registered Exchange Offer.

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), the Company shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission on or prior to the 120^th day after the Acquisition Closing Date (or if such 120th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to the 180^th day after the Acquisition Closing Date (or if such 180th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, file a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder shall reasonably request in writing by the time the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, it being agreed that no such registration or qualification will be made unless so requested, to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(a), or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject, and (iii) as promptly

as practicable after the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Initial Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

(b) The Company shall use its 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 and not more than 45 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on or prior to the 210^th day after the Acquisition Closing Date (or if such 210^th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the date of this Agreement.

The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms in all material respects with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

The Company shall furnish as soon as practicable as many copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers as are reasonably requested at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

Section 4. Shelf Registration.

(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated within 210 days after the Acquisition Closing Date (or if such 210th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), or (iii) with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (A) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates then, upon such Holder’s or Initial Purchaser’s request, the Company shall

(x) as promptly as practicable cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the “Shelf Registration Statement”) on or prior to the earliest to occur of (1) the later of (x) the 45th day after the date on which the Company determines that it is not required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and (y) the 120th day after the Acquisition Closing Date, (2) the 210th day after the Acquisition Closing Date (in the case of clause (ii) above) and (3) the 45th day after the date on which the Company receives notice from a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or an Initial Purchaser as contemplated by clause (iii) above (such earliest date being the “Shelf Filing Deadline”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

(y) use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the later of (x) the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 90th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and (y) the 180^th day after the Acquisition Closing Date.

The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms in all material respects with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of two years following the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (or shorter period that will terminate when all the Initial Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement).

(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 Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

(c) Suspension. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary and subject to the limitation set forth in the next succeeding paragraph, at any time after the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall be entitled to suspend its obligation to file any amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, furnish any supplement or amendment to a Prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, make any other filing with the Commission, cause the Shelf Registration Statement or other filing with the Commission to remain effective or take any similar action (collectively, “Registration Actions”) upon (A) the issuance by the Commission 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 as a result of which the Shelf Registration Statement would or 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 the related Prospectus would or 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 postpone or suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus. Upon the occurrence of any of the conditions described in clause (A), (B) or (C) above, the Company shall give prompt notice (a “Suspension Notice”) thereof to the Holders. Upon the termination of such condition, the Company shall give prompt notice thereof to the Holders and shall promptly proceed with all Registration Actions that were suspended pursuant to this paragraph.

The Company may only suspend Registration Actions pursuant to the preceding paragraph for one or more periods (each, a “Suspension Period”) not to exceed, in the aggregate, (x) sixty days in any three month period or (y) ninety days in any twelve month period, during which no Liquidated Damages (as defined in Section 5) shall be payable. Each Suspension Period shall be deemed to begin on the date the relevant Suspension Notice is given to the Holders and shall be deemed to end on the earlier to occur of (1) the date on which the Company gives the Holders a notice that the Suspension Period has terminated and (2) the date on which the number of days during which a Suspension Period has been in effect exceeds, in the aggregate, (x) sixty days in any three month period or (y) ninety days in any twelve month period.

Section 5. Liquidated Damages. Subject to the Company’s ability to declare Suspension Periods with respect to clause (iv) below, if (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in this Agreement, (ii) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in this Agreement (the “Effectiveness Target Date”), (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the date specified for such consummation in this Agreement or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose for more than 30 days (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees to pay liquidated damages (“Liquidated Damages”) in the form of additional interest in cash to each Holder in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for the period of occurrence of the Registration Default until such time as no Registration Default is in effect, which rate shall increase by 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period during which such Registration Default continues, but in no event shall such increase exceed 1.00% per annum. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities, the Liquidated Damages will cease to accrue from the date of such cure and the interest rate on the Transfer Restricted Securities will revert to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after the date such Liquidated Damages cease to accrue, a different Registration Default occurs, Liquidated Damages may again commence accruing pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of Liquidated Damages payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities who is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement shall not be entitled to Liquidated Damages with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Shelf Registration Statement.

All references in the Indenture to “interest” include the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to this Section 5, and all accrued Liquidated Damages shall be payable to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Securities. All obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

Section 6. Registration Procedures.

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof set forth in the Registration Statement and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, the Company hereby

agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Initial Securities. The Company hereby agrees 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. The Company hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver 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 pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (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 Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use its reasonable 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 set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement, and pursuant thereto the Company will as promptly as practicable prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement.

(c) General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided, in connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or

resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Initial Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:

(i) use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file as promptly as practicable an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities 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 the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders as promptly as practicable and, if requested by such Persons, to 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 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 Securities 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 or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading (provided, however, that no advice

by the Company shall be required pursuant to this clause (D) 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 such Registration Statement, which, in either case, contains the requisite information with respect to such event or facts 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). 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 shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest practicable time;

(iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), 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 and underwriter(s) 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 an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 6(c)(iv) that are not, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law or to include any disclosure which at the time would have an adverse effect on the business or operations of the Company and/or its subsidiaries, as determined in good faith by the Company;

(v) in the case of a Shelf Registration, 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 the extent requested, to the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and to the underwriter(s), if any, make the Company’s management, officers and other 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 selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request;

(vi) in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, make

available at reasonable times for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and one firm of legal counsel or accountant retained by any of the foregoing, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such Persons and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to be available for discussion of such documents to the extent reasonably requested by any Holder, Initial Purchaser or underwriter;

(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; 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 incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;

(ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(x) deliver to (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer, each Participating Broker-Dealer who submits a written request to the Company and (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; subject to the final paragraph of this Section 6(c), the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(xi) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such customary representations and warranties, and

take all such other customary and appropriate actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company shall:

(A) to the extent reasonably requested, furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) a certificate, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, signed by (y) the President or any Vice President and (z) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;

(2) an opinion, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, of counsel for the Company, covering the matters set forth in Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as such parties may reasonably request; and

(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;

(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(c)(xi), if any.

If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated in Section 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company shall so advise

the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request in writing by the time the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, it being agreed that no such registration or qualification will be made unless so requested and use its reasonable best efforts to do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Initial Securities held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least three Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xv) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities, if any, as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;

(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, use its reasonable best efforts to 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 at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or

omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or will remain so qualified and at such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination;

(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Transfer Restricted Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with any necessary printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD;

(xix) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;

(xx) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act 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 of Securities 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 Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its reasonable 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; and

(xxi) cause all Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities or the managing underwriter(s), if any.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon (i) receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, or (ii) a Suspension Period, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement

until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) 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. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at such Holder’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 such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice described in (i) or (ii) of this paragraph to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice.

Section 7. Registration Expenses.

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s 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 (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the NASD (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of the NASD)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities 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 and, subject to Section 7(b) hereof, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Securities on a securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

The Company will, in any event, bear its 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.

(b) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Fried, Frank, Harris, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.

Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

Section 8. Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of any one firm of legal counsel to any Indemnified Holder), arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or 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 such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders expressly for use therein; and provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arising from an offer or sale of Transfer Restricted Securities occurring during a Suspension Period, if a notice of such Suspension Period was given to and received by such Person. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. The Company may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action. Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification hereunder). The Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Company’s prior

written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding.

(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company and the officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives, agents 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 Company and its officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives, agents and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.

(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable 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, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company from the Initial Placement), the amount of Liquidated Damages which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other 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, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, 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 expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

The Company and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) 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 expenses 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 such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Xxxxxxx 0, xxxx of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities exceeds 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 Securities 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 Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

Section 9. Rule 144A. The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Section 10. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) 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 (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

Section 11. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering.

Section 12. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not 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. 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 securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Adjustments Affecting the Securities. The Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.

(d) 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 the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure.

(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:

c/o Oak Hill Capital Partners

00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx

00xx Xxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx

With a copy to:

Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP

0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Facsimile: 212-757-3990

Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, 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 answered back, if telexed; 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.

(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, Xxxxx Xxxxx, as successor to the Company, and Xxxxx Xxxxx GP as co-obligor, upon consummation of the Acquisition, and subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.

(g) Joinder Agreements. On the Acquisition Closing Date, the Company shall cause Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and each of the Guarantors to execute a Joinder Agreement. Pursuant to the Joinder Agreement, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and each Guarantor shall agree to (i) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties, and acknowledgements attributable to the Company (including the Company’s obligations as an indemnifying party) in this Agreement as if made by, and with respect to, each party signatory to the Joinder Agreement and (ii) jointly and severally, perform all obligations and duties required of the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

(h) 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.

(i) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(j) 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 CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

(k) 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.

(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities, the Joinder Agreements and any related documents 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 by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

XXXXX XXXXX ACQUISITION CORP.

By:	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:		Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:		Vice President and Secretary

The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC

UBS SECURITIES LLC

By:	Banc of America Securities LLC


By:	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
	Title:	Managing Director

JOINDER AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, Xxxxx Xxxxx Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), executed and delivered (i) the Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2004 (the “Syndicate Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Initial Purchasers named on Schedule A thereof (the “Syndicate Initial Purchasers”) and the Company relating to the issuance and sale of $190,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (“Syndicate Notes”) and (ii) the Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2004 (the “Investor Purchase Agreement and together with the Syndicate Purchase Agreement, the “Purchase Agreements”), by and between Banc of America Securities LLC (the “Investor” and, together with the Syndicate Initial Purchasers, the “Initial Purchasers”) and the Company, relating to the issuance and sale of $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes (the “Investor Notes” and, together with the Syndicate Notes, the “Notes”). All capitalized terms used herein, but not defined, shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Purchase Agreements;

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Purchasers executed and delivered a Registration Rights Agreement, providing for the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and each of the Guarantors, not originally party to the Purchase Agreements, are obligated to join in the Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement upon consummation of the Merger on terms described below;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, (i) Xxxxx Xxxxx shall execute the Successor Supplemental Indenture, pursuant to which it will assume all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture as successor in the Merger, (ii) Xxxxx Xxxxx GP shall execute the Co-Obligor Supplemental Indenture, pursuant to which it will agree to become a co-obligor with Xxxxx Xxxxx of all the obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and (iii) each of the Guarantors shall execute a Guarantor Supplemental Indenture, pursuant to which each of the Guarantors will guarantee all the obligations of the Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxx GP under the Notes and the Indenture;

NOW, THEREFORE, each of Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx GP and the Guarantors hereby agrees for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers, as follows:

(a) Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of each of the Purchase Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement and all other documents it deems fit to enter into these Agreements, and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to each of the Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations,

warranties and acknowledgments attributable to an indemnifying party in each of the Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement as if made by, and with respect to, each signatory hereto; and (iii) jointly and severally, perform all obligations and duties required of the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement.

(b) Each of the undersigned hereby represents and warrants to and agrees with the Initial Purchasers that it has all the requisite corporate or partnership power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Joinder Agreement, that performance of this Joinder Agreement does not and will not violate (i) any provisions of its charter, by-laws or other similar document, or (ii) any contractual obligations binding on it, except, in the case of this clause (ii), for such violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change; and that when this Joinder Agreement is executed and delivered, it will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement enforceable against each of the undersigned in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except as rights to indemnification under the Purchase Agreements or the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable law.

THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement this 30^th day of July, 2004.

	Xxxxx Xxxxx Inc. (as successor by merger to
	Xxxxx Xxxxx Acquisition Corp.), a
	Delaware corporation

	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Assistant Secretary


	Xxxxx Xxxxx, a New York general partnership

	By:	Xxxxx Xxxxx Inc., as General Partner


	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Assistant Secretary


	DRI I Inc., a Delaware corporation


	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Assistant Secretary


	Xxxxx Xxxxx International, Inc., a Delaware corporation


	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Secretary


	Xxxxx Xxxxx Realty, Inc., a Delaware corporation

	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Name:	Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Assistant Secretary

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT by and among Duane Reade Acquisition Corp. and Banc of America Securities LLC Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

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