SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2002
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 25, 1997
by and among
EchoStar DBS Corporation,
the Company
EchoStar Communications Corporation,
EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation
and
Dish, Ltd.,
as Guarantors
and
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
Securities Corporation
and
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.,
as Initial Purchasers
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT")
is made and entered into as of June 25, 1997 by and among EchoStar DBS
Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the "COMPANY"), EchoStar Communications
Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("ECHOSTAR"), EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting
Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("ESBC"), Dish, Ltd., a Nevada corporation
("DISH," and together with EchoStar and ESBC, the "GUARANTORS"), and Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx Securities Corporation and Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. (each, an
"INITIAL PURCHASER" and, collectively, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of whom
has agreed to purchase the Company's 12 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2002 (the
"INITIAL SENIOR SECURED NOTES") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined
below).
This Registration Rights Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, dated June 20, 1997 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the
Company, the Guarantors and the Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to purchase the Initial Senior Secured Notes, the Company has agreed
to provide the registration rights set forth in this Registration Rights
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Registration Rights Agreement is
a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 2
of the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Registration Rights Agreement, the following capitalized
terms shall have the following meanings:
ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ADVICE: As defined in Section 6 hereof.
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
CLOSING DATE: The date of this Registration Rights Agreement.
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 Registration Rights Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the
filing and effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement relating to the New Senior Secured Notes 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 New Senior
Secured Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal
amount of Initial Senior Secured Notes that were tendered by Holders thereof
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE: With respect to the Initial Senior Secured Notes,
each Interest Payment Date.
EFFECTIVENESS TARGET DATE: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXCHANGE OFFER: The registration by the Company under the Act of the New
Senior Secured Notes 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 New Senior Secured Notes 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.
EXEMPT RESALES: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose
to sell the Initial Senior Secured Notes to certain "qualified institutional
buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and to certain
institutional "accredited investors," as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1),
(2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Act ("ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS").
GUARANTORS: As defined in the preamble hereto.
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
INDEMNIFIED HOLDER: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of June 25, 1997, among the Company,
The Bank of Boston, as trustee (the "Trustee"), and the Guarantors, pursuant to
which the Senior Secured Notes are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
INITIAL PURCHASER and INITIAL PURCHASERS: As defined in the preamble
hereto.
INITIAL SENIOR SECURED NOTES: As defined in the preamble hereto.
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE: As defined in the Indenture and the Senior Secured
Notes.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NEW SENIOR SECURED NOTES: The Company's New Senior Secured Notes due 2002
to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in the Exchange Offer.
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 posteffective amendments, and all material incorporated by
reference into such Prospectus.
RECORD HOLDER: With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to the
Senior Secured Notes, each Person who is a Holder of Senior Secured Notes on the
record date with respect to the Interest Payment Date on which such Damages
Payment Date shall occur.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to (a) an offering of New Senior Secured Notes 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 Registration Rights 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.
SENIOR SECURED NOTES: The Initial Senior Secured Notes and the New Senior
Secured Notes.
SHELF FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the date of the Indenture.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Senior Note, until the earliest to
occur of (a) the date on which such Senior Note is exchanged in the Exchange
Offer and entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without
complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, (b) the date on
which such Senior Note has been effectively registered under the Act and
disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date
on which such Senior Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144
under the 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 Registration Rights 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) below
have been complied with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause to be
filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in
no event later than 30 days after the Closing Date, a Registration Statement
under the Act relating to the New Senior Secured Notes and the Exchange Offer,
(ii) use their best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
effective at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 150 days
after the Closing Date, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) 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, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant
to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection
with the registration and qualification of the New Senior Secured 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
Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall
be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the New Senior Secured
Notes to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to
permit resales of Senior Secured Notes held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by
Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company shall 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 20 business days. The Company shall cause
the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities
laws. No securities other than the Senior Secured Notes shall be included in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use its 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 30 business days thereafter.
(c) The Company shall indicate in a "Plan of Distribution" section
contained in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Senior Secured Notes 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 Senior Secured Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, 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 any resales of the New Senior Secured Notes 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 Senior Secured Notes 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 Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company and the Guarantors shall use their best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) below to the extent
necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Senior Secured Notes
acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of marketmaking
activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the
requirements of this Registration Rights Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of one year from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective.
The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such
Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such
one-year period in order to facilitate such resales.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. If (i) the Company is not required to file an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission
policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) below have been complied
with) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the
Company within 20 business days of the Consummation of the Exchange Offer (A)
that such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from
participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) that such Holder may not resell the
New Senior Secured Notes 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) that such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds
Initial Senior Secured Notes acquired directly from the Company or one of its
affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall
(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement
pursuant to Rule 415 under the 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 30th day after the date on which the Company
determines that it is not required to file the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, (2) the 30th day after the date on which the
Company receives notice from a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
as contemplated by clause (ii) above, and (3) the 150th day after the
Closing Date (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 best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the
30th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline.
The Company and the Guarantors shall use their 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 Senior Secured Notes by
the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this
Registration Rights Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least three
years following the Closing Date.
(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 Registration Rights 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. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have used its best efforts
to provide all such reasonably requested information. 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.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Registration
Rights Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date
specified for such filing in this Registration Rights Agreement, (ii) any one of
such Registration Statements has not been declared effective by the Commission
on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in this Registration
Rights Agreement (the "EFFECTIVENESS TARGET DATE"), (iii) the Exchange Offer has
not been Consummated within 30 business days after the Effectiveness Target Date
with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (iv) any
Registration Statement required by this Registration Rights
Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be
effective 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"), the Company and the Guarantors hereby jointly and
severally agree to pay liquidated damages to each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities with respect to the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of such Registration Default, in an amount equal to
$.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the Registration
Default continues. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an
additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated
damages of $.40 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities. All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to Record Holders
by the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal
funds check on each Damages Payment Date, as provided in the Indenture.
Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular
Transfer Restricted Securities, the accrual of liquidated damages with
respect to such Transfer Restricted Securities will cease.
All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors 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 and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the
provisions of Section 6(c) below, shall use their 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, 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 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 Initial Senior
Secured Notes. The Company and the Guarantors each 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 and the Guarantors each 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 resolution (which need not be favorable) by the
Commission staff of such submission.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Registration Rights 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 New Senior Secured Notes to
be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the New Senior
Secured Notes 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 Registration Rights 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 (including 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 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 New
Senior Secured Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Senior
Secured Notes acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall 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), XXXXXX XXXXXXX AND CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991) and, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above and
(B) including a representation that neither the Company nor any Guarantor
has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to
distribute the New Senior Secured Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer and that, to the best of the Company's information and belief, each
Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the New Senior
Secured Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the New
Senior Secured Notes received in the Exchange Offer.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the
provisions of Section 6(c) below and
shall use their 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, and pursuant thereto the
Company will as expeditiously as possible 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 with the intended method or
methods of distribution thereof.
(c) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration Statement and
any Prospectus required by this Registration Rights 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
Senior Secured Notes by Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements
(including, if required by the Act or any regulation thereunder, financial
statements of the Guarantors) for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of
this Registration Rights Agreement, 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 Registration
Rights Agreement, the Company shall file promptly 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 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 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 Act, and to comply fully with
the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A 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 the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders
promptly 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 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. 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 best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest
possible time;
(iv) furnish to each of the selling Holders 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 of
such Holders and underwriter(s), 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 a selling Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if
any, shall reasonably object within five business days after the receipt
thereof. A selling Holder or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to have
reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement,
amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be
filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
(v) 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 selling Holders and to the
underwriter(s), if any, make the Company's representatives available (and
representatives of the Guarantors) 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) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant
to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by
such selling Holders or any of the underwriter(s),
all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties 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, underwriter,
attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement
subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness;
(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) 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
Senior Secured Notes covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;
(ix) 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 all documents incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by
reference);
(x) deliver to 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; the Company and the
Guarantors hereby consent 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) enter into, and cause each Guarantor to enter into, such
agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make, and cause each
Guarantor to 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
Registration Statement contemplated by this Registration Rights Agreement,
all to such extent as may be requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with
any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by
this Registration Rights Agreement; and whether
or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company and the Guarantors
shall:
(A) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and
each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may
request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of
the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by (y) the
President or any Vice President and (z) a principal financial or
accounting officer of each of the Company and the Guarantors,
confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in
paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of Section 9 of the Purchase
Agreement and such other matters as such parties 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 the matters set forth in
paragraph (e) of Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement and such
other matter as such parties may reasonably request, and in any
event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has
participated in conferences with officers and other
representatives of the Company, representatives of the
independent public accountants for the Company, the Initial
Purchasers' representatives and the Initial Purchasers' counsel
in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement
and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters
required to be stated therein and the statements contained
therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that
such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing (relying
as to materiality to a large extent upon facts provided to such
counsel by officers and other representatives of the Company and
without independent check or verification), no facts came to such
counsel's attention that caused such counsel to believe that the
applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became
effective, and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the
opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as
of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further
that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not
independently verified, the
accuracy, completeness or faimess of the financial statements,
notes and schedules and other financial data included in any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Registration Rights
Agreement or the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer or 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 by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten
offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in the comfort
letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(j) 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 to evidence compliance with
clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company
pursuant to this clause (xi), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and
the Guarantors contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and
correct, the Company or the Guarantors 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) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with, and cause the Guarantors 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 securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s) may request and 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
neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors shall be required to register
or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified 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;
(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Initial
Senior Secured Notes covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, New
Senior Secured Notes, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Initial Senior Secured Notes surrendered to
the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being
sold by such Holder; such New Senior Secured Notes to be registered in the
name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Senior
Secured Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Initial Senior Secured
Notes held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for
cancellation;
(xiv) cooperate with, and cause the Guarantors to 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 two business days prior to any sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities made by such underwriter(s);
(xv) use its 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 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 clause (viii) above;
(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by clause (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 not misleading;
(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement
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 Depositary 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, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective and approved by such governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer
Restricted Securities to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities;
(xix) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders, 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 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 TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Registration Rights Agreement, and, in connection therewith,
cooperate, and cause the Guarantors to cooperate, with the Trustee and the
Holders of Senior Secured Notes 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 cause the Guarantors to 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;
(xxi) cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which
similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Initial Senior
Secured Notes or the managing underwriter(s), if any; and
(xxii) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each
document filed with the
Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the
Exchange Act.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that,
upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the
kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, 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 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 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 pursuant to Section
6(c)(iii)(D) hereof 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 or the Guarantors' performance
of or
compliance with this Registration Rights Agreement will be borne by the
Company or the Guarantors, 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 Blue Sky or securities laws;
(iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the New
Senior Secured 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, subject to
Section 7(b) below, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all
application and filing fees in connection with listing Senior Secured 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).
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.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Registration Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will
reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities being tendered in the Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the
"Plan of Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or
registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be
Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx 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.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and each Guarantor agree, jointly and severally, to
severally indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each person, if
any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the 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 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 counsel to any
Indemnified Holder) directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon,
arising out of or in connection with 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, judgments, actions or
expenses are caused by 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.
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 or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder
controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company and the
Guarantors in writing (PROVIDED, that the failure to give such notice shall not
relieve the Company or the Guarantors of their respective obligations pursuant
to this Registration Rights Agreement). 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 and the Guarantors
(regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder). The Company and the Guarantors
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 (in
addition to any local counsel) 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.
Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall, 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 the Guarantors, and
their respective directors, officers, and any person controlling (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company,
and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and
agents of each such person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from
the Company and the Guarantors 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 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 Company or its directors or
officers or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to
each Holder by the preceding paragraph. In no event shall the liability of
any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of
the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable
Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable
to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) hereof (other than by
reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities 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 their sale of
Transfer Restricted Securities or if such allocation is not permitted by
applicable law, the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the
Indemnified Holder on the other 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 and the Guarantors 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
or the Guarantors or by the Indemnified Holder 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), 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 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 Senior Secured Notes
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 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 Senior Secured Notes
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 Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
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 or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such OFFERING; PROVIDED, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) REMEDIES. The Company and the Guarantors agree that monetary damages
(including the liquidated damages contemplated hereby) would not be adequate
compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions
of this Registration Rights 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, and will cause the
Guarantors not to, on or after the date of this Registration Rights Agreement
enter into any agreement with
respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the
Holders in this Registration Rights 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 securities under any agreement in effect on
the date hereof.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING THE SENIOR SECURED NOTES. The Company will not
take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Senior
Secured Notes that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the
Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Registration Rights
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 obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly
the rights of other Holders whose 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 being tendered or registered.
(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:
EchoStar DBS Corporation
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
With a copy to:
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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 Registration Rights 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 of Transfer Restricted Securities; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that this Registration Rights 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.
(g) COUNTERPARTS. This Registration Rights 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 Registration Rights Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS 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 Registration Rights Agreement together with
the other Operative Documents (as defined in the Purchase 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 by the
Company with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities. This Registration Rights Agreement supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to
such subject matter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
-----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING
CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
DISH, LTD.
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
XXXXXX BROTHERS, INC.
By: /s/ XXXX XXXXXX
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Managing Director
