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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 19, 2023

 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
0-16244
(Commission
File Number)
11-2989601
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

Terminal Drive, Plainview, New York 11803

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(516) 677-0200

 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share VECO The NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 


 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Convertible Notes and the Indenture

 

On May 16, 2023, Veeco Instruments Inc. (the “Company”) priced its private offering of $205 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). In addition, the Company granted the initial purchasers in the offering (the “Initial Purchasers”) a 30-day option to purchase an additional $25 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes, which the Initial Purchasers exercised in full. On May 19, 2023, the Company completed its private offering of $230 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $223.3 million, after deducting the Initial Purchasers’ discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company used approximately $198.8 million of the net proceeds from the offering to fund the cash portion of the Note Exchanges described below and the remainder for general corporate purposes.

  

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture, dated May 19, 2023 (the “Indenture”), with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Indenture includes customary covenants and sets forth certain events of default after which the Notes may be declared immediately due and payable and sets forth certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events of default involving the Company after which the Notes become automatically due and payable.

 

The Notes will mature on June 1, 2029, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms. The Notes will bear interest from May 19, 2023 at a rate of 2.875% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2023. The Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2023 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the Indenture) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate in effect on each such trading day; (3) if the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (4) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after February 1, 2029 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their Notes, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, at the option of the holder regardless of the foregoing circumstances.

 

Upon conversion, the Company will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of its conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted, in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Indenture. The initial conversion rate for the Notes will be 34.2185 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $29.22 per share of the Company’s common stock. The initial conversion price represents a premium of approximately 30% to the $22.48 per share closing price of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 16, 2023. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. In connection with certain corporate events or if the Company issues a notice of redemption, it will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their notes in connection with such corporate event or during the relevant redemption period.

 

The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to June 8, 2026. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Notes, at its option, on or after June 8, 2026 if the last reported sale price of its common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption at a cash redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. No “sinking fund” is provided for the Notes.

 

 


 

If the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

 

The description of the Indenture and the Notes contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Indenture and the form of Note filed as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Note Exchanges

 

In connection with the pricing of the Notes in the offering, the Company entered into separate and individually negotiated transactions (each, a “Note Exchange”) with certain holders of its outstanding 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) to exchange approximately $106.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes for an aggregate of approximately $106.0 million in cash and approximately 0.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock and with certain holders of its 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes” and, together with the 2025 Notes, the “Existing Notes”) to exchange approximately $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Notes for an aggregate of approximately $92.8 million in cash and approximately 3.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company expects that holders of the Existing Notes that exchange their Existing Notes in the Note Exchanges may have entered into or unwound various derivatives with respect to the Company’s common stock (including entering into derivatives with one or more of the Initial Purchasers or their respective affiliates) and/or purchased or sold shares of the Company’s common stock concurrently with or shortly after pricing of the Notes in the offering. This activity could affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.

 

First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement

 

On May 19, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021, among the Company, as borrower, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Barclays Bank PLC, Santander Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners (the “Loan and Security Agreement”). The First Amendment provides for modifications to the Loan and Security Agreement to permit the offering of the Notes, the Note Exchanges and the use of proceeds from the offering of the Notes.

 

The description of the First Amendment contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the First Amendment filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.02. The Notes were sold to the Initial Purchasers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and for resale by the Initial Purchasers to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Company relied on these exemptions from registration based in part on representations made by the Initial Purchasers. The Notes and the shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

To the extent that any shares of the Company’s common stock are issued upon conversion of the Notes, they will be issued in transactions anticipated to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) thereof, because no commission or other remuneration is expected to be paid in connection with conversion of the Notes and any resulting issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Any shares of the Company's common stock issued in connection with the Note Exchanges will be issued in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) thereof.

 

 


 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit   Description
4.1   Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2023, between Veeco Instruments Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.
     
4.2   Form of 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (included in Exhibit 4.1)
     
10.1   First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2023, by and among Veeco Instruments Inc., as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent, collateral agent, joint lead arranger, and joint bookrunner, Barclays bank PLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, and Santander Bank, N.A.
     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

May 22, 2023 VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
   
  By: /s/ Kirk Mackey
  Name: Kirk Mackey
  Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

EX-4.1 2 tm2316279d1_ex4-1.htm EXHIBIT 4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

AND

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of May 19, 2023

 

2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE 1
Definitions
   
Section 1.01. Definitions 1
Section 1.02. References to Interest 12
   
ARTICLE 2
Issue, Description, Execution, Registration and Exchange of Notes
   
Section 2.01. Designation and Amount 12
Section 2.02. Form of Notes 12
Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts 13
Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes 15
Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary 15
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes 21
Section 2.07. Temporary Notes 22
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. 23
Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers 23
Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases 23
   
ARTICLE 3
Satisfaction and Discharge
   
Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge 24
   
ARTICLE 4
Particular Covenants of the Company
   
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest 24
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency 25
Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office 25
Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent 25
Section 4.05. Existence 27
Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports 27
Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws 28
Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults 29
Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts 29

 

  i  

 

ARTICLE 5
Lists of Holders and Reports by the Company and the Trustee
   
Section 5.01. Lists of Holders 29
Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists 29
   
ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
   
Section 6.01. Events of Default 30
Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment 31
Section 6.03. Additional Interest 32
Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor 33
Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee 34
Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders 35
Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee 36
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing 36
Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders 37
Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults 37
Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs 38
   
ARTICLE 7
Concerning the Trustee
   
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee 38
Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. 40
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. 41
Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes 42
Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust 42
Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee 42
Section 7.07. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence 43
Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee 43
Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee 43
Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee 44
Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. 45
Section 7.12. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company 45
   
ARTICLE 8
Concerning the Holders
   
Section 8.01. Action by Holders 46
Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders 46
Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners 46
Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded 47
Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound 47

 

  ii  

 

ARTICLE 9
Holders’ Meetings
   
Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings 47
Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee 48
Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders 48
Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting 48
Section 9.05. Regulations 48
Section 9.06. Voting 49
Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting 49
   
ARTICLE 10
Supplemental Indentures
   
Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders 50
Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders 51
Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures 52
Section 10.04. Notation on Notes 52
Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee 52
   
ARTICLE 11
Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease
   
Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms 53
Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted 53
Section 11.03. Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee 54
   
ARTICLE 12
Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors
   
Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations 54
   
ARTICLE 13
[Intentionally Omitted]
   
ARTICLE 14
Conversion of Notes
   
Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege 54
Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion 57
Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or Redemption Notice 61
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate 63
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices 72
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid 72

 

  iii  

 

Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock 72
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants 74
Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee 74
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions 75
Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans 76
   
ARTICLE 15
Repurchase of Notes at Option of Holders
   
Section 15.01. [Intentionally Omitted] 76
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change 76
Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice 79
Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price 79
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes 80
   
ARTICLE 16
Optional Redemption
   
Section 16.01. Optional Redemption 80
Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes 80
Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption 82
Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption 82
   
ARTICLE 17
Miscellaneous Provisions
   
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors 83
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation 83
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. 83
Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction 84
Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee 84
Section 17.06. Legal Holidays 85
Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created 85
Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture 85
Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. 85
Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent 85
Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts 86
Section 17.12. Severability 86
Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial 86
Section 17.14. Force Majeure 87
Section 17.15. Calculations 87
Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act 87

 

EXHIBIT

 

Exhibit A Form of Note A-1

 

  iv  

 

INDENTURE dated as of May 19, 2023 between VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01) and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as trustee (the “Trustee,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”), initially in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $230,000,000, and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
Definitions

 

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

 

 


 

“Additional Interest” means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) and Section 6.03, as applicable.

 

“Additional Shares” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the determination of whether one Person is an “Affiliate” of another Person for purposes of this Indenture shall be made based on the facts at the time such determination is made or required to be made, as the case may be, hereunder.

 

“Agent” means any Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Custodian, Conversion Agent, Authenticating Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or agent for services of notices or demands.

 

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any matter at any time relating to a Global Note, the rules, policies and procedures of the Depositary applicable to such matter.

 

“Bid Solicitation Agent” means the Company or the Person appointed by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(i). The Trustee shall initially act as the Bid Solicitation Agent.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

 

“Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.

 

“Cash Percentage” shall have the meaning specified in ‎Section 14.02(a)(ii).

 

“Clause A Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Clause B Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Clause C Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

  2  

 

“close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

 

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Equity” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, at the date of this Indenture, subject to Section 14.07.

 

“Company” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.

 

“Company Order” means a written order of the Company, signed by any two Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Conversion Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02. “Conversion Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).

 

“Conversion Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

 

“Conversion Price” means as of any time, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such time.

 

“Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at 100 Wall Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Global Corporate Trust, and for Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at 100 Wall Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10005, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Daily Conversion Value” means, for each of the 60 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, one-sixtieth (1/60th) of the product of (a) the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day and (b) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day.

 

“Daily Measurement Value” means $1,000, divided by 60.

 

  3  

 

“Daily Net Settlement Amount” means, for each of the 60 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period:

 

(a)            if the Company does not elect a Cash Percentage or the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) a Cash Percentage of 0% as set forth herein, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day;

 

(b)            if the Company elects a Cash Percentage of 100% as set forth herein, cash in an amount equal to the difference between the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day and the Daily Measurement Value; or

 

(c)            if the Company elects a Cash Percentage of less than 100% but greater than 0% as set forth herein, (i) cash in an amount equal to the product of (x) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day and the Daily Measurement Value and (y) the Cash Percentage, plus (ii) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (x)(A) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (B) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day and (y) 100% minus the Cash Percentage.

 

“Daily Settlement Amount,” for each of the 60 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, shall consist of:

 

(a)            cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Daily Measurement Value and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day; and

 

(b)            if the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day exceeds the Daily Measurement Value, the Daily Net Settlement Amount for such Trading Day.

 

“Daily VWAP” means, for each of the 60 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “VECO <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

 

“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Defaulted Amounts” means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(c) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

  4  

 

“Distributed Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Effective Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c), except that, as used in Section 14.04 and Section 14.05, “Effective Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

 

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

 

“Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Form of Assignment and Transfer” means the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

“Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” means the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

“Form of Note” means the “Form of Note” attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

“Form of Notice of Conversion” means the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

“Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:

 

(a)            a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of the Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act that discloses that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock;

 

(b)            the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one of the Company’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b);

 

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(c)            the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

(d)            the Common Stock (or other common stock underlying the Notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market and The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors);

 

provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (a) or clause (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the common stockholders of the Company, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(a)). If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change but for the proviso immediately following clause (d) of this definition, following the effective date of such transaction), references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity.

 

“Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).

 

“Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

 

“Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).

 

“Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

 

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“Global Note” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).

 

“Holder,” as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means each June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2023.

 

“Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded. If the Common Stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock is not so quoted, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.

 

“Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined above and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof).

 

“Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).

 

“Market Disruption Event” means, for the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, (a) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.

 

“Maturity Date” means June 1, 2029.

 

“Maximum Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in ‎Section 14.03(e).

 

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“Measurement Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(i).

 

“Merger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

 

“Note” or “Notes” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.

 

“Note Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

 

“Note Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

 

“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

 

“Observation Period” with respect to any Note surrendered for conversion means: (i) subject to clause (ii) of this definition, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs prior to February 1, 2029, the 60 consecutive Trading-Day period beginning on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately succeeding such Conversion Date; (ii) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after the date of the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 16.02 and prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date, the 60 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 61st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such Redemption Date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii) of this definition, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 1, 2029, the 60 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 61st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means the preliminary offering memorandum dated May 16, 2023, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet dated May 16, 2023, relating to the offering and sale of the Notes.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, any Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”).

 

“Officers’ Certificate,” when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate that is delivered to the Trustee and that is signed by (a) two Officers of the Company or (b) one Officer of the Company and one of the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or the Controller of the Company. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section. One of the Officers giving an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to Section 4.08 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.

 

“open of business” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

 

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“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that is delivered to the Trustee, which opinion may contain customary assumptions, exceptions and qualifications as to the matters set forth therein. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 17.05.

 

“Optional Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.01.

 

“outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

 

(a)            Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(b)            Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);

 

(c)            Notes that have been paid pursuant to Section 2.06 or Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course;

 

(d)            Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08;

 

(e)            Notes redeemed pursuant to Article 16; and

 

(f)             Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 2.10.

 

“Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.

 

“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

 

“Physical Notes” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof.

 

“Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.

 

“Redemption Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).

 

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“Redemption Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).

 

“Redemption Price” means, for any Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 16.01, 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (unless the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, in which case interest accrued to the Interest Payment Date will be paid to Holders of record of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to, but excluding, such Redemption Date). The Redemption Price will be paid in cash (without penalty or premium).

 

“Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

 

“Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the May 15 or November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable June 1 or December 1 Interest Payment Date, respectively.

 

“Resale Restriction Termination Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

 

“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or another officer to whom a matter may be referred because of their expertise.

 

“Restricted Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Scheduled Trading Day” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Settlement Amount” shall have the meaning specified in ‎Section 14.02(a).

 

“Settlement Notice” shall have the meaning specified in ‎Section 14.02(a)(ii).

 

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“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1, Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

 

“Spin-Off” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Stock Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

“Successor Company” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a).

 

“Trading Day” means, except for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, a day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Common Stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market; provided that if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a Business Day; and provided, further, that for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “Trading Day” means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading, except that if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

 

“Trading Price” per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer on any determination date, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on such determination date shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate.

 

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“transfer” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

 

“Trigger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

 

“unit of Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

 

“Valuation Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

 

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to “more than 50%” in the definition of “Subsidiary” shall be deemed replaced by a reference to “100%”.

 

Section 1.02. References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) and Section 6.03. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

ARTICLE 2
Issue, Description, Execution, Registration and Exchange of Notes

 

Section 2.01. Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the “2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $230,000,000, subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes to the extent expressly permitted hereunder.

 

Section 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and a Note, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict.

 

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Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect redemptions, repurchases, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon written instructions given by the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.

 

Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts. (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.

 

(b)            The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. The principal amount of any Note (x) in the case of any Physical Note, shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the contiguous United States, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office and (y) in the case of any Global Note, shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company shall pay or cause the Paying Agent to pay interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each Holder or, upon application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Note Registrar to the contrary or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

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(c)            Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

 

(i)             The Company may elect to make payment of or cause the Paying Agent to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Amounts as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be delivered to each Holder not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been so delivered, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c).

 

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(ii)            The Company may make payment of or cause the Paying Agent to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary or any of its Executive or Senior Vice Presidents.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order, along with an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder.

 

Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, executed manually or by facsimile by an authorized officer of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the Officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer.

 

Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed the “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.

 

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Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.

 

Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.

 

No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Notes, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of new Notes issued upon such exchange or registration of transfer being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer.

 

None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion, (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15 or (iii) any Notes selected for redemption in accordance with Article 16, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(b)            So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the fourth paragraph from the end of Section 2.05(c) all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form (each, a “Global Note”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.

 

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(c)            Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (together with any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including those restrictions set forth in the legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.

 

Until the date (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) that is the later of (1) the date that is one year after the last date of original issuance of the Notes, or such shorter period of time as permitted by Rule 144 or any successor provision thereto, and (2) such later date, if any, as may be required by applicable law, any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), if applicable) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Notes have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee):

 

THIS ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

 

(1)            REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

 

(2)            AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

 

(A)            TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

 

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(B)            PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(C)            TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(D)            PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

No transfer of any Note prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date will be registered by the Note Registrar unless the applicable box on the Form of Assignment and Transfer has been checked.

 

Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become effective or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) through (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the restrictive legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee upon the occurrence of the Resale Restriction Termination Date and promptly after a registration statement, if any, with respect to the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes has been declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(c)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary and (ii) for exchange of a Global Note or a portion thereof for one or more Physical Notes in accordance with the second immediately succeeding paragraph.

 

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The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.

 

If (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and a beneficial owner of any Note requests that its beneficial interest therein be issued as a Physical Note, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver (x) in the case of clause (iii), a Physical Note to such beneficial owner in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note corresponding to such beneficial owner’s beneficial interest and (y) in the case of clause (i) or (ii), Physical Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

Physical Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, or, in the case of clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the relevant beneficial owner, shall instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Physical Notes to the Persons in whose names such Physical Notes are so registered.

 

At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Physical Notes, converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Notes therefor or any Physical Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.

 

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None of the Company, the Trustee or any Agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. The Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of any Depositary. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by any Depositary.

 

(d)            Until the Resale Restriction Termination Date, any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Common Stock has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of a Note that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

 

(1)            REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

 

(2)            AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE SERIES OF NOTES UPON THE CONVERSION OF WHICH THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

 

(A)            TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

 

(B)            PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

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(C)            TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(D)            PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

Any such Common Stock (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(d).

 

(e)            Any Note or shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exchange of a Note that is repurchased or owned by any Affiliate of the Company (or any Person who was an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months immediately preceding) may not be resold by such Affiliate (or such Person, as the case may be) unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such Note or shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being a “restricted security” (as defined under Rule 144). The Company shall cause any Note that is repurchased or owned by it to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08.

 

Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Physical Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Physical Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Physical Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Physical Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

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The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Physical Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Physical Note, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Physical Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Physical Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any Physical Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Physical Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Physical Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any of their agents harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent of the destruction, loss or theft of such Physical Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

Every substitute Physical Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Physical Note became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Physical Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Physical Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Physical Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, redemption, conversion or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Physical Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, payment, redemption, conversion or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

 

Section 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Physical Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Physical Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Physical Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Physical Notes (other than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Physical Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

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Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, repurchase (but excluding Notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives), redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee (including any of the Company’s agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates), to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding for purposes of this Indenture upon the payment, repurchase, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion. All Notes delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled promptly by it. Except for any Notes surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, or as otherwise expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures and, after such disposition, shall deliver a certificate of such disposition to the Company, at the Company’s written request in a Company Order.

 

Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in all notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made by the Trustee as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

 

Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases. The Company may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Holders and notwithstanding Section 2.01, reopen this Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder with the same terms as the Notes initially issued hereunder (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price, interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes and any changes necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act (or other applicable securities laws)) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number. The Notes initially issued hereunder and any additional Notes will rank equally and ratably and will be treated as a single series for all purposes under this Indenture (except to the extent set forth in the immediately preceding sentence). Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to cover such matters, in addition to those required by Section 17.05, as the Trustee shall reasonably request. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives, in each case, without prior notice to, or consent of, the Holders. The Company shall cause any Notes so repurchased (other than Notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08 and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding under this Indenture upon their repurchase.

 

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ARTICLE 3
Satisfaction and Discharge

 

Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall upon written request of the Company contained in an Officers’ Certificate cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes, when (a) (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced, paid or converted as provided in Section 2.06) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) the Company has deposited with the Trustee or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after the Notes have become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, on any Redemption Date, on any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or, solely to satisfy the Company’s Conversion Obligation, cash and, if applicable, shares of Common Stock sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company; and (b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Article 7 shall survive.

 

ARTICLE 4
Particular Covenants of the Company

 

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or similar taxes imposed by the United States from principal, premium or interest (including any Additional Interest) payments hereunder.

 

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Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the contiguous United States an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase (“Paying Agent”) or for conversion (“Conversion Agent”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office or the office or agency of the Trustee in the contiguous United States; provided, no service of legal process on the Company may be made at the Corporate Trust Office or the office or agency of the Trustee in the contiguous United States.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate as co-Note Registrars one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the contiguous United States for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office as the office or agency in the contiguous United States where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase or for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.

 

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee (which Paying Agent may be appointed without notice to or the consent of Holders and may be a Subsidiary of the Company), the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

 

(i)             that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

 

(ii)            that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

 

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(iii)           that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

 

The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or accrued and unpaid interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.

 

(b)            If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and accrued and unpaid interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

 

(c)            Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts.

 

(d)            Any cash and shares of Common Stock deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest on and the consideration due upon conversion of any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), interest or consideration due upon conversion has become due and payable shall, subject to applicable abandoned property law, be paid to the Company on written request of the Company contained in an Officers’ Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and shares of Common Stock, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

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Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 11, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

 

Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports. (a)  At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and, upon written request, any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes, the written information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 144A. The Company shall take such further action as any Holder or beneficial owner of such Notes or such shares of Common Stock may reasonably request to the extent from time to time required to enable such Holder or beneficial owner to sell such Notes or shares of Common Stock in accordance with Rule 144A, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

 

(b)            The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission, copies of any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the Commission and giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 or any successor rule under the Exchange Act). Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee and the Holders for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) at the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor system).

 

(c)            Delivery of the reports and documents described in subsection (b) above to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt (or constructive receipt) of the foregoing shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officers’ Certificate). The Trustee is not obligated to confirm that the Company has complied with its obligations to file such reports with the Commission or post such reports and information on its website. The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, timeliness or content of any such reports.

 

(d)            If, at any time during the six-month period beginning on, and including, the date that is six months after the last date of original issuance of the Notes, the Company fails to timely file any document or report that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s Affiliates or Holders that were the Company’s Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding (as a result of restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes. Such Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes at the rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during such period for which the Company’s failure to file has occurred and is continuing or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s Affiliates (or Holders that were the Company’s Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding) without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes. As used in this Section 4.06(d), documents or reports that the Company is required to “file” with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act does not include documents or reports that the Company furnishes to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(e)            If, and for so long as, the restrictive legend on the Notes specified in Section 2.05(c) has not been removed, the Notes are assigned a restricted CUSIP number or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s Affiliates or Holders that were the Company’s Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding (without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes) as of the 365th day after the last date of original issuance of the Notes, the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of Notes outstanding until the restrictive legend on the Notes has been removed in accordance with Section 2.05(c), the Notes are assigned an unrestricted CUSIP number and the Notes are freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s Affiliates (or Holders that were the Company’s Affiliates at any time during the three months immediately preceding) without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(f)             Additional Interest will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following accrual in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes.

 

(g)            The Additional Interest that is payable in accordance with Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any Additional Interest that may be payable as a result of the Company’s election pursuant to Section 6.03.

 

(h)            If Additional Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to the Persons entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

 

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

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Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023) an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review has been conducted of the Company’s activities under this Indenture and the Company has fulfilled its obligations hereunder, and whether the authorized officers thereof have knowledge of any failure by the Company to comply with all conditions and covenants then required to be performed under this Indenture that occurred during the previous year and, if so, specifying each such failure, the nature thereof and the steps to be taken to cure such Default.

 

In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within 30 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof; provided that the Company is not required to deliver such notice of such events that have been cured within the applicable grace period (if any) provided in this Indenture or are no longer continuing.

 

Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 5
Lists of Holders and Reports by the Company and the Trustee

 

Section 5.01. Lists of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each May 15 and November 15 in each year beginning with November 15, 2023, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders as of a date not more than 15 days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is acting as Note Registrar.

 

Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

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ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies

 

Section 6.01. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:

 

(a)            default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(b)            default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon Optional Redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

(c)            failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for five Business Days;

 

(d)            failure by the Company to issue a Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 15.02(c), notice of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change in accordance with Section 14.03(b) or notice of a specified corporate event in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(ii) or 14.01(b)(iii), in each case when due, and, except in the case of any notice required to be delivered pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii), such failure continues for five Business Days;

 

(e)            failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 11 and such failure continues for five Business Days;

 

(f)             failure by the Company for 60 days after written notice to the Company from the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee from the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;

 

(g)            default by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such indebtedness when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, if such default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(h)            a final judgment or judgments for the payment of $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished;

 

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(i)             the Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

 

(j)             an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days.

 

Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment. If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or Section 6.01(j) with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given in writing by Holders), may (and the Trustee, at the written request of such Holders, shall) declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or Section 6.01(j) with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries occurs and is continuing, 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable.

 

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The immediately preceding paragraph, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay installments of accrued and unpaid interest upon all Notes and the principal of any and all Notes that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, and on such principal at the rate borne by the Notes at such time) and amounts due to the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) pursuant to Section 7.06, and if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) any and all existing Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on Notes that shall have become due solely by such acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.09, then and in every such case (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences and such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any Default or Event of Default resulting from (i) the nonpayment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, any Notes, (ii) a failure to repurchase any Notes when required or (iii) a failure to pay and, if applicable, deliver the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes.

 

Section 6.03. Additional Interest. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall, for the first 180 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to: (i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for the first 90 days during which such Event of Default is continuing beginning on, and including, the date on which such an Event of Default first occurs and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the next 90-day period during which such Event of Default is continuing beginning on, and including, the 91st day after such Event of Default first occurred. Additional Interest payable pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e). If the Company so elects, such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes. On the 181st day after such Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) is not cured or waived prior to such 181st day), the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders of Notes in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in ‎Section 4.06(b). In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 6.03 or the Company elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.

 

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In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 180 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 180-day period. Upon the failure to timely give such notice, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.

 

Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Notes at such time and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.

 

In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

 

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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting such Holder or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

 

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.

 

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver pursuant to Section 6.09 or any rescission and annulment pursuant to Section 6.02 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

 

First, to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (acting in any capacity) hereunder;

 

Second, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on, and any cash due upon conversion of, the Notes in default in the order of the date due of the payments of such interest and cash due upon conversion, as the case may be, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon such overdue payments at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

 

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Third, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid, to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, the payment of the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and, to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee, upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Notes at such time and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and accrued and unpaid interest; and

 

Fourth, to the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment and, if applicable, delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a)            such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided;

 

(b)            Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c)            such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, costs or expense to be incurred therein or thereby;

 

(d)            the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of such security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and

 

(e)            no direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within such 60-day period pursuant to Section 6.09,

 

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it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Note with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.06, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

 

Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

 

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Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 shall have the right to direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), that may involve the Trustee in personal liability or if the Trustee is not provided with indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction. In addition, the Trustee will not be required to expend its own funds under any circumstances. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, or the principal (including any Redemption Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, (ii) a failure by the Company to pay and, if applicable, deliver the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and a Responsible Officer of the Trustee is notified in writing, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after such Default occurs, or, if later, within 15 days after the Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such written notice, deliver to all Holders notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any occurrence of a Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received actual written notice. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), or accrued and unpaid interest on, any of the Notes or a Default in the payment and, if applicable, delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee (in its sole discretion) in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

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Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess costs, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note (including, but not limited to, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note, or receive the consideration due upon conversion, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.

 

ARTICLE 7
Concerning the Trustee

 

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes generally or the Notes and this Indenture. If an Event of Default, of which the Trustee has actual written notice, has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs; provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(a)            prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:

 

(i)             the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee, in each of its capacities, shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(ii)            in the absence of willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture;

 

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(b)            the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(c)            the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

 

(d)            whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;

 

(e)            the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;

 

(f)             if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee had actual knowledge of such event;

 

(g)            in the absence of written investment direction from the Company, all cash received by the Trustee shall be placed in a non-interest bearing trust account, and in no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investments prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction from the Company;

 

(h)            in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to such Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent;

 

(i)             the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall have no liability for any other party’s actions or inaction hereunder or in connection with the Notes, including, but not limited to any of its agents, and no Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary;

 

(j)             the Trustee acting in any capacity hereunder shall not be liable or responsible for any calculation under this Indenture or in connection with the Notes, or for any information used in connection with such calculation or any determination made in connection with a conversion of Notes;

 

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(k)            the Trustee shall not be liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

 

(l)             the Holders of Notes shall make their own decisions regarding actions relevant to the trust and shall not rely on the Trustee;

 

(m)           the Trustee shall not be responsible for the content or accuracy of any document provided to the Trustee, and shall not be required to recalculate, certify or verify any numerical information provided under this Indenture;

 

(n)            the receipt and delivery of reports or other information provided to the Trustee or otherwise publicly available does not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice thereof; and

 

(o)            the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

 

(a)            the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)            any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) and Opinion of Counsel and the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel; and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

 

(c)            the Trustee may consult with counsel and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

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(d)            the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

 

(e)            the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder; and

 

(f)             the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action other than any such loss or damage caused by the Trustee’s willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company or by any Holders of the Notes at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to and shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. Neither the Trustee nor any Note Registrar, Conversion Agent, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes or for funds received and disbursed in accordance with this Indenture. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to any information, statement or recital in any offering memorandum, prospectus, prospectus supplement or other disclosure material prepared or distributed with respect to the issuance of any Notes. The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Company. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes. The Trustee shall have no obligation to pursue any action that is not in accordance with applicable law. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any act or omission of any rating agency or any rating with respect to the Notes. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if any event has occurred or notify the Holders of any event dependent upon the rating of the Notes, or if the rating on the Notes has been changed, suspended or withdrawn by any rating agency.

 

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Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company or any Affiliate thereof) or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar.

 

Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust. All monies and shares of Common Stock received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money and shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money or shares of Common Stock received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.

 

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity thereunder (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ). The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, damage, fee, liability, cost or expense incurred without gross negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its officers, directors, agents or employees, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by any Holder or any other Person). The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) and to pay or reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company. The obligation of the Company under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee. “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.06 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents and employees of the Trustee.

 

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Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or Section 6.01(j) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

 

Section 7.07. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers’ Certificate shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by delivering notice thereof to the Holders. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee at the expense of the Company, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

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(b)            In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

 

(i)             the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

 

(ii)            the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

(c)            The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.09(a) provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.

 

(d)            Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.10.

 

Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.

 

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No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.

 

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.10, each of the Company and the successor trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders. If the Company fails to deliver such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.

 

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

Section 7.12. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any officer that the Company has indicated to the Trustee should receive such application actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

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ARTICLE 8
Concerning the Holders

 

Section 8.01. Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any written notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date if one is selected shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.

 

Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar. The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

 

Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including any Redemption Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holder’s right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Note in certificated form in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action only Notes that a Responsible Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Subsidiary thereof or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

 

Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.

 

ARTICLE 9
Holders’ Meetings

 

Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 for any of the following purposes:

 

(a)            to give any written notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (in each case, as permitted under this Indenture) and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;

 

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(b)            to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;

 

(c)            to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02; or

 

(d)            to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

 

Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 8.01, shall be delivered to Holders of such Notes. Such notice shall also be delivered to the Company. Such notices shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

Any meeting of Holders shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Notes then outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.

 

Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Holders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

 

Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

Section 9.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Company may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

 

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The Company shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by Holders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Holders calling the meeting shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting of Holders each Holder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him or her; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by it or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating it as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

Section 9.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

 

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 10
Supplemental Indentures

 

Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Company, without the consent of Holders, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:

 

(a)            to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as evidenced to the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(b)            to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture pursuant to Article 11;

 

(c)            to add guarantees with respect to the Notes;

 

(d)            to secure the Notes;

 

(e)            to add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

(f)             to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

 

(g)            in connection with any Merger Event, to provide that the Notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to the provisions of Section 14.02, and make such related changes to the terms of the Notes to the extent expressly required by Section 14.07;

 

(h)            to conform the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum;

 

(i)             to provide for the issuance of additional Notes;

 

(j)             to provide for the appointment of a successor trustee, successor notes registrar, successor paying agent, successor bid solicitation agent or successor conversion agent;

 

(k)            to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary, including the Depositary, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect; or

 

(l)             to irrevocably elect a Cash Percentage with respect to conversions of Notes; provided that no such election shall affect any Cash Percentage theretofore elected (or deemed elected) with respect to any Note pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.02.

 

Upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 10.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.

 

Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes), the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:

 

(a)            reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

 

(b)            reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(c)            reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;

 

(d)            make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes;

 

(e)            reduce the Redemption Price or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Company’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

 

(f)            make any Note payable in a currency, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;

 

(g)            change the ranking of the Notes; or

 

(h)            make any change in this Article 10 that requires each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 6.02 or Section 6.09.

 

Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the requisite Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof. After any such supplemental indenture becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders a notice briefly describing such supplemental indenture. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture.

 

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Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 10.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Company’s expense, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.10) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

 

Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this ‎Article 10 or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, in addition to the documents required by ‎Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence and stating that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this ‎Article 10, does not conflict with the requirements set forth in this Indenture, is permitted or authorized by this Indenture and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company, and any guarantor as applicable, in accordance with its terms, and that all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture have been satisfied. The Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE 11
Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease

 

Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another Person, unless:

 

(a)            the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture; and

 

(b)            immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.

 

For purposes of this Section 11.01, the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company to another Person, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to another Person.

 

Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, such Successor Company (if not the Company) shall succeed to and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets, shall be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part and the Company shall be discharged from the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture. Such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Article 11 the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

Section 11.03. Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee. No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be effective unless the Trustee shall receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with the provisions of this Article 11.

 

ARTICLE 12
Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors

 

Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on any Note, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 13
[Intentionally Omitted]

 

ARTICLE 14
Conversion of Notes

 

Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege. (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Note (i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b) and (ii) regardless of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), on or after February 1, 2029 and prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in each case, at an initial conversion rate of 34.2185 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the “Conversion Rate”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the “Conversion Obligation”).

 

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(b)                   (i)             Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during the five Business-Day period immediately after any five consecutive Trading-Day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined following a written request by a Holder of Notes in accordance with this subsection (b)(i), for each Trading Day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on each such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on each such Trading Day. The Trading Prices shall be determined by the Bid Solicitation Agent pursuant to this subsection (b)(i) and the definition of Trading Price set forth in this Indenture. The Company shall provide written notice to the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) of the three independent nationally recognized securities dealers selected by the Company pursuant to the definition of Trading Price, along with appropriate contact information for each. The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes unless the Company has requested such determination, and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes) unless a Holder (or Holders in aggregate) of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes requests in writing that (x) the Company make such a determination (if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent) or (y) the Company request that the Bid Solicitation Agent make such a determination (if the Company is not acting as Bid Solicitation Agent) and, in either case, provides the Company with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on any Trading Day would be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day, at which time the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to determine, or if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate. If (x) the Company is not acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, and the Company does not instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, or if the Company gives such instruction to the Bid Solicitation Agent and the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to make such determination, or (y) the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent and the Company fails to make such determination when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, then, in either case, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each Trading Day of such failure. If the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Company shall so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing. If, at any time after the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate for such date, the Company shall so notify the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing.

 

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(ii)            If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, the Company elects to:

 

(A)            issue to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or

 

(B)            distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock the Company’s assets, securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company, which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,

 

then, in either case, the Company shall notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) at least 70 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution. Once the Company has given such notice, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and (2) the Company’s announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, in each case, even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time.

 

(iii)            If a transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, regardless of whether a Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes pursuant to Section 15.02, or if the Company is a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of its assets (other than with one of the Company’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, unless such transaction also constitutes a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change) that occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, in each case, pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets, all or any portion of a Holder’s Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the effective date of the transaction until 35 Trading Days after the effective date of such transaction or, if such transaction also constitutes a Fundamental Change, until the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing as promptly as practicable following the date the Company publicly announces such transaction, but in no event later than the effective date of such transaction.

 

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(iv)            Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 1, 2029, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2023 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day. The Company shall determine at the beginning of each calendar quarter commencing after September 30, 2023 whether the Notes may be surrendered for conversion in accordance with this clause (iv) and shall notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing if the Notes become convertible in accordance with this clause (iv).

 

(v)            If the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption pursuant to Article 16, then a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date, even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert on account of the Company’s delivery of a Redemption Notice shall expire, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case a Holder of Notes may convert its Notes until the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for.

 

Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.

 

(a)            Subject to this Section 14.02, Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation by paying and, if applicable, delivering to the converting Holder, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted, a “Settlement Amount” equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 60 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02.

 

(i)            All conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice and prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date shall be settled using the same Cash Percentage, and all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 1, 2029 shall be settled using the same Cash Percentage. Except for any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice and prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date, and any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 1, 2029, the Company shall use the same Cash Percentage for all conversions with the same Conversion Date, but the Company shall not have any obligation to use the same Cash Percentage with respect to conversions with different Conversion Dates.

 

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(ii)            If, in respect of any Conversion Date (or one of the periods described in the third immediately succeeding set of parentheses, as the case may be), the Company elects to settle all or a portion of its Conversion Obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted in cash in respect of such Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be), the Company, through the Trustee, shall provide notice to converting Holders of such election (the “Settlement Notice”) no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date (or, in the case of any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs (x) after the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice and prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date, in such Redemption Notice or (y) on or after February 1, 2029, no later than February 1, 2029) and the Company shall indicate in such Settlement Notice the percentage of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted that shall be paid in cash (the “Cash Percentage”). If the relevant Holders are not informed of a Cash Percentage prior to the deadline set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect a Cash Percentage with respect to any conversion on such Conversion Date or during such period, as the case may be, and the Company shall be deemed to have elected a Cash Percentage of 0% with respect to such conversion.

 

(iii)            For any conversion of Notes, the Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts, the Daily Conversion Values and the Settlement Amount shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the relevant Observation Period. Promptly after such determination of the Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts, the Daily Conversion Values and the Settlement Amount, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts, the Daily Conversion Values and the Settlement Amount, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering fractional shares of Common Stock. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have no responsibility for any such determination.

 

(b)            Subject to Section 14.02(e), before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with the procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile thereof) (a “Notice of Conversion”) to the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the office of the Conversion Agent, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h). The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date for such conversion. No Notes may be surrendered for conversion by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and has not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 15.03.

 

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If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.

 

(c)            A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in subsection (b) above. Except as set forth in Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), the Company shall pay and, if applicable, deliver the consideration due in respect of the Conversion Obligation on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period. If any shares of Common Stock are due to a converting Holder, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver (if applicable) to the converting Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, the full number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled, in book-entry format through the Depositary, in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.

 

(d)            In case any Physical Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Physical Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Physical Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Physical Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Physical Notes surrendered for such conversion.

 

(e)            If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax. The Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder’s name until the Trustee receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.

 

(f)            Except as provided in Section 14.04, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 14.

 

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(g)            Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.

 

(h)            Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the full Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date but prior to the open of business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date shall be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted; provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; (3) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (4) to the extent of any Defaulted Amounts, if any Defaulted Amounts exist at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, any Redemption Date referred to in clause (2) or any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date referred to in clause (3) shall receive the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date or other applicable Interest Payment Date, as the case may be, in cash regardless of whether their Notes have been converted following such Regular Record Date.

 

(i)            The Person in whose name any shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon conversion shall be treated as a stockholder of record as of the close of business on the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion.

 

(j)            The Company shall not issue any fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion based on the Daily VWAP for the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period. For each Note surrendered for conversion, the full number of shares of Common Stock (if any) that shall be issued upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Daily Settlement Amounts for the relevant Observation Period and any fractional shares remaining after such computation shall be paid in cash.

 

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Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or Redemption Notice. (a)  If (x) the Effective Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date or (y) the Company gives a Redemption Notice with respect to any or all of the Notes in accordance with Section 16.02 and, in each case, a Holder elects to convert its Notes in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice, as applicable, the Company shall, under the circumstances described below, increase the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”), as described below. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” a Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the Conversion Date occurs during the period from, and including, the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or, in the case of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the 35th Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change) (such period, the “Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period”). A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” a Redemption Notice if the Conversion Date occurs during the period from, and including, the date of the Redemption Notice until the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date.

 

(b)            Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice, the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such converted Notes in accordance with Section 14.02, based on the Conversion Rate as increased to reflect the Additional Shares pursuant to the table set forth in Section 14.03(e) below; provided, however, that if, at the effective time of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Reference Property following such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, then, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to the then-current Conversion Rate (including any adjustment for Additional Shares), multiplied by such Stock Price. In such event, the Conversion Obligation shall be paid to Holders in cash on the second Business Day following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holders of Notes of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date.

 

(c)            The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective or the date of the Redemption Notice, as the case may be (in each case, the “Effective Date”) and the price paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of the Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or with respect to the Optional Redemption, as the case may be (the “Stock Price”). If the holders of the Common Stock receive in exchange for their Common Stock only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share of the Common Stock. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the five Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Effective Date. The Board of Directors shall make appropriate adjustments to the Stock Price, in its good faith determination, to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date (as such term is used in Section 14.04) or expiration date of the event occurs, during such five consecutive Trading-Day period. In the event that a conversion in connection with a Redemption Notice would also be deemed to be in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, a Holder of the Notes to be converted shall be entitled to a single increase to the Conversion Rate with respect to the first to occur of (i) the date of the applicable Redemption Notice and (ii) the Effective Date of the applicable Make-Whole Fundamental Change, and the later event shall be deemed not to have occurred for purposes of this section for purposes of such converted Notes.

 

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(d)            The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate of the Notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 14.04.

 

(e)            The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased per $1,000 principal amount of Notes pursuant to this Section 14.03 for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:

 

    Stock Price  
Effective Date   $22.48     $25.00     $29.22     $35.00     $37.99     $45.00     $50.00     $60.00     $70.00     $90.00     $110.00     $150.00     $200.00  
May 19, 2023     10.2654       9.0800       6.6735       4.6457       3.9360       2.7893       2.2478       1.5380       1.1026       0.6089       0.3463       0.0981       0.0000  
June 1, 2024     10.2654       9.0800       6.5383       4.4337       3.7144       2.5789       2.0574       1.3917       0.9937       0.5503       0.3155       0.0911       0.0000  
June 1, 2025     10.2654       8.7700       6.1109       3.9903       3.2888       2.2184       1.7460       1.1643       0.8281       0.4598       0.2644       0.0756       0.0000  
June 1, 2026     10.2654       8.2720       5.4997       3.3883       2.7236       1.7607       1.3610       0.8943       0.6360       0.3566       0.2059       0.0572       0.0000  
June 1, 2027     10.2654       7.6124       4.6735       2.5974       1.9995       1.2087       0.9142       0.5972       0.4301       0.2469       0.1435       0.0375       0.0000  
June 1, 2028     10.2654       6.7188       3.4514       1.5011       1.0526       0.5740       0.4320       0.2937       0.2197       0.1309       0.0767       0.0180       0.0000  
June 1, 2029     10.2654       5.7815       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000  

 

The exact Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:

 

(i)            if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table above or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day or 366-day year, as the case may be;

 

(ii)            if the Stock Price is greater than $200.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate; and

 

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(iii)            if the Stock Price is less than $22.48 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount of Notes exceed 44.4839 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 (the “Maximum Conversion Rate”).

 

(f)            Nothing in this Section 14.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.

 

Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.

 

(a)            If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date, as applicable;

 

OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date, as applicable, before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination; and

 

OS' = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

 

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Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

(b)            If the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

X = the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

 

Y = the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants.

 

Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of the Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.

 

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For purposes of this Section 14.04(b) and for the purpose of Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Company in good faith.

 

(c)            If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected (or would have been effected but for Section 14.04(j)) pursuant to Section 14.04(a) or Section 14.04(b), (ii) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in Section 14.04(d) shall apply, and (iii) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

SP0 = the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and

 

FMV = the fair market value (as determined by the Company in good faith) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

Any increase made under the portion of this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock receive the Distributed Property and without having to convert its Note(s), the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution. If the Company determines the “FMV” (as defined above) of any distribution for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) by reference to the actual or when-issued trading market for any securities, it shall in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

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With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period;

 

FMV0 = the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of the Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading-Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and

 

MP0 = the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

 

The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for the relevant conversion and within the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day. In addition, if the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off is after the 10th Trading Day immediately preceding, and including, the end of any Observation Period in respect of a conversion of Notes, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph and this paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced, in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off to, and including, the last Trading Day of such Observation Period. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.

 

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For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respects to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.

 

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For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable also includes one or both of:

 

(A)            a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the “Clause A Distribution”); or

 

(B)            a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the “Clause B Distribution”),

 

then, in either case, (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the “Clause C Distribution”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).

 

(d)            If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

SP0 = the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; and

 

C = the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock.

 

Any increase pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock and without having to convert its Note(s), the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

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(e)            If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

 

where,

 

CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;

 

CR' = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;

 

AC = the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Company in good faith) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer;

 

OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);

 

OS' = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and

 

SP' = the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading-Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires.

 

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The increase to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for the relevant conversion and within the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day. In addition, if the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires is after the 10th Trading Day immediately preceding, and including, the end of any Observation Period in respect of a conversion of Notes, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph and this paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced, solely in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires to, and including, the last Trading Day of such Observation Period.

 

(f)            [Reserved].

 

(g)            Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

 

(h)            In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 14.04, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall deliver to the Holder of each Note a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

 

(i)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

 

(i)            upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

 

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(ii)            upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)           upon the issuance of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued;

 

(iv)           upon the repurchase of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to an open market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction, including structured or derivative transactions, that is not a tender offer or exchange offer described in Section 14.04(e);

 

(v)           solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or

 

(vi)          for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

(j)            Notwithstanding this Section 14.04 or any other provisions of this Indenture, if an adjustment to the Conversion Rate otherwise required would result in a change of less than 1% to the Conversion Rate, the Company may, at its election, defer and carry forward such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in an aggregate change of at least 1% to the Conversion Rate; (ii) the Conversion Date of (in the case of any conversion following the replacement of the Common Stock by Reference Property consisting solely of cash), or each Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period for, any Note; (iii) the date a Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs; and (iv) February 1, 2029.

 

(k)            All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.

 

(l)            Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.

 

(m)            For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.

 

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Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts or the Daily Settlement Amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an Observation Period and the period for determining the Stock Price for purposes of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Optional Redemption), the Company shall make appropriate adjustments in its good faith judgment to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or expiration date, as the case may be, of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts or the Daily Settlement Amounts are to be calculated.

 

Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid. The Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion (assuming delivery upon conversion of the Notes of a number of shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate).

 

Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.

 

(a)            In the case of:

 

(i)            any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

 

(ii)            any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction involving the Company,

 

(iii)           any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety or

 

(iv)          any statutory share exchange,

 

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “Merger Event”), then, at and after the effective time of such Merger Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Merger Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “Reference Property,” with each “unit of Reference Property” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive) upon such Merger Event and, prior to or at the effective time of such Merger Event, the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 10.01(g) providing for such change in the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Merger Event (A) the amount otherwise payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash; (B) the Company (or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be) shall continue to have the right to elect to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted in accordance with Section 14.02; (C) the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, otherwise deliverable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have been entitled to receive in such Merger Event; and (D) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have been entitled to receive in such Merger Event.

 

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If the Merger Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then (i) the Reference Property into which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock, and (ii) the unit of Reference Property for purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph shall refer to the consideration referred to in clause (i) attributable to one share of Common Stock. If the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Merger Event, then for all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the effective date of such Merger Event (A) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in such Merger Event and (B) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying cash to converting Holders on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of such weighted average as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination is made.

 

Such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14. If, in the case of any Merger Event, the Reference Property includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) of a Person other than the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such Merger Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Notes as the Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing, including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in Article 15.

 

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(b)            When the Company executes a supplemental indenture pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 14.07, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Merger Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly deliver notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be delivered to each Holder within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.

 

(c)            The Company shall not become a party to any Merger Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder to convert its Notes into cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Merger Event.

 

(d)            The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Merger Events.

 

Section 14.08. Certain Covenants. (a) The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

 

(b)            The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.

 

(c)            The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will use reasonable best efforts to list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

 

Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee (acting in any capacity) and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers’ Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any event contemplated by Section 14.01(b) has occurred that makes the Notes eligible for conversion or no longer eligible therefor until the Company has delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent the notices referred to in Section 14.01(b) with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights, on which notices the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely, and the Company agrees to deliver such notices to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent immediately after the occurrence of any such event or at such other times as shall be provided for in Section 14.01(b). Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall have any liability or responsibility for determining whether any given day is a Trading Day or a Scheduled Trading Day or calculating the redemption period in connection with any Optional Redemption.

 

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Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:

 

(a)            action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 or Section 14.11;

 

(b)            Merger Event; or

 

(c)            voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture), the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to be delivered to each Holder, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 20 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record are to be determined for the purposes of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) the date on which such Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, Merger Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.

 

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Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans. To the extent that the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each share of Common Stock, if any, issued upon such conversion shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such stockholder rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if, prior to any conversion of Notes, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights plan, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock Distributed Property as provided in Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

ARTICLE 15
Repurchase of Notes at Option of Holders

 

Section 15.01. [Intentionally Omitted].

 

Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change. (a)  If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 calendar days or more than 35 calendar days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Price”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to Holders of record as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15. The Fundamental Change Repurchase Date shall be subject to postponement, without penalty to the Company, in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law as a result of changes to such applicable law occurring after the date of this Indenture.

 

(b)            Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:

 

(i)            delivery to the Trustee and the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes and identifying the Notes by CUSIP number, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and

 

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(ii)            delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.

 

The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:

 

(i)             in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase and identify the Notes by CUSIP number;

 

(ii)            the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and

 

(iii)           that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;

 

provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Trustee and the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a duly completed written notice of withdrawal to the Trustee and the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.

 

The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

 

(c)            On or before the 20th calendar day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes and the Trustee and the Paying Agent (in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:

 

(i)             the events causing the Fundamental Change;

 

(ii)            the effective date of the Fundamental Change;

 

(iii)           the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;

 

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(iv)           the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;

 

(v)            the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;

 

(vi)           the name and address of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;

 

(vii)          if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate;

 

(viii)         that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

 

(ix)           the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes; provided, however, that, if the Notes are Global Notes, the Holders (and holders of a beneficial interest in such Global Notes) must comply with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary.

 

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02.

 

At the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

 

(e)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the Notes upon a Fundamental Change if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company pursuant to this Article 15 and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company pursuant to this Article 15.

 

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Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice. (a)  A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a duly completed written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent and the Trustee in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:

 

(i)             the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted,

 

(ii)            if Physical Notes have been issued, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

 

(iii)           the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;

 

provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.

 

Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. (a)  The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04) on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 15.02 by delivering checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

 

(b)            If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase to the Paying Agent, Trustee or other agent appointed for such purpose and have not been validly withdrawn, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and, if applicable, accrued and unpaid interest).

 

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(c)            Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer, the Company will, if required:

 

(a)            comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;

 

(b)            file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and

 

(c)            otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;

 

in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations enacted or adopted after the date of this Indenture conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligations to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

 

ARTICLE 16
Optional Redemption

 

Section 16.01. Optional Redemption. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to June 8, 2026. On or after June 8, 2026, the Company may redeem (an “Optional Redemption”) for cash all or any portion of the Notes, at the Redemption Price, if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock has been at least 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive Trading-Day period (including the last Trading Day of such period) ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides the Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 16.02.

 

Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. (a)  In case the Company exercises its Optional Redemption right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 16.01, it shall fix a date for redemption (each, a “Redemption Date”) and it or, at its written request, the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall deliver or cause to be delivered a notice of such Optional Redemption (a “Redemption Notice”) not less than 65 nor more than 85 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed as a whole or in part; provided, however, that, if the Company shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee. The Redemption Date must be a Business Day, and the Company shall not specify a Redemption Date that falls on or after the 61st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.

 

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(b)            The Redemption Notice, if delivered in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such Redemption Notice or any defect in the Redemption Notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. If the Company directs the Trustee in writing to distribute the Redemption Notice to Holders, the Company shall give such direction to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the date on which the Company directs the Trustee to send the Redemption Notice to Holders (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

 

(c)            Each Redemption Notice shall identify Notes by their CUSIP number and specify:

 

(i)             the Redemption Date;

 

(ii)            the Redemption Price;

 

(iii)           that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Note to be redeemed, and that interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

(iv)           the place or places where such Notes subject to Optional Redemption are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

 

(v)            that Holders may surrender their Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date;

 

(vi)           the procedures a converting Holder must follow to convert such Notes and the Cash Percentage, if applicable;

 

(vii)          the Conversion Rate and, if applicable, the number of Additional Shares added to the Conversion Rate in accordance with Section 14.03;

 

(viii)         the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Notes; and

 

(ix)            in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued.

 

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A Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable.

 

(d)            If the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of a Global Note or a Physical Note to be redeemed (in minimum principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee considers to be fair and appropriate, subject to customary Depositary procedures, as applicable. If any Note selected for partial redemption is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of the Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion selected for redemption.

 

Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. (a)  If any Redemption Notice has been given in respect of the Notes in accordance with Section 16.02, the Notes shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice and at the applicable Redemption Price. On presentation and surrender of the Notes at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice, the Notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.

 

(b)            Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent or, if the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 7.05 an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on the Redemption Date), sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date. Subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, payment for the Notes to be redeemed shall be made on the Redemption Date for such Notes. The Paying Agent shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Redemption Price.

 

(c)            If the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then, with respect to the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include Notes converted by Holders thereof after delivery of the Redemption Notice and prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such Redemption Date), such Notes will cease to be outstanding as of such Redemption Date and interest will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes is made or whether or not the Notes are delivered to the Paying Agent), and all other rights with respect to such Notes of the Holder thereof will terminate (other than the right to receive the Redemption Price).

 

Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption. The Company may not redeem any Notes on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Redemption Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to such Notes).

 

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ARTICLE 17
Miscellaneous Provisions

 

Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.

 

Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee) to Veeco Instruments Inc., 1 Terminal Drive, Plainview, NY 11803, Attention: General Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail, or delivered by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed to the Corporate Trust Office or sent electronically in PDF format.

 

The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Physical Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed.

 

Failure to mail or deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered, as the case may be, in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with Applicable Procedures.

 

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Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

The Company irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.

 

The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Indenture.

 

Each Officers’ Certificate provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with this Indenture (other than the Officers’ Certificates provided for in Section 4.08) shall include (a) a statement that the person signing such certificate is familiar with the requested action and this Indenture; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (c) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such action is permitted by this Indenture; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such person, such action is permitted by this Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 17.05, if any provision in this Indenture specifically provides that the Trustee shall or may receive an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in connection with any action to be taken by the Trustee or the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to, or entitled to request, such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

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Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, any Redemption Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay.

 

Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

 

Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.

 

Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.

 

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Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 17.10, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall deliver notice of such appointment to all Holders.

 

The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.

 

The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.10 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

 

If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.10, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

 

  ,

as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

 

By:    

Authorized Signatory

 

Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 17.12. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 17.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, epidemics or pandemics, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

Section 17.15. Calculations. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes, and in no instance shall the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Conversion Agent have any liability or responsibility for making such calculations, or for any information used in connection with such calculation or any determination made in connection with a conversion of Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts, the Daily Settlement Amounts, accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) payable on the Notes and the Conversion Rate of the Notes. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a written schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and Conversion Agent has no duty to verify such calculations and is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of Notes upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor the Conversion Agent shall have any liability or responsibility for any calculation in connection with a conversion of the Notes or any information used in connection with any such calculation, nor shall the Trustee, the Paying Agent or Conversion Agent have any duty to monitor the accuracy of any of the calculations made by the Company which will be conclusive and binding on Holders of Notes, absent manifest error. In addition, none of the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor the Conversion Agent shall have any liability or responsibility for determining whether any given day is a Trading Day or Scheduled Trading Day.

 

Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
   
  By: /s/ John P. Kiernan
    Name: John P. Kiernan
    Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

  U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
   
  By: /s/ James W. Hall
    Name: James W. Hall
    Title: Vice President    

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]

 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREUNDER IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A RESTRICTED SECURITY]

 

[THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

 

(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

 

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

 

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

 

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (C) TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

A-1


 

 

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THREE MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

 

A-2


 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

2.875% Convertible Senior Note due 2029

 

No. [_____] [Initially]1 $[_________]

 

CUSIP No. [_________]

 

Veeco Instruments Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]2 [_______]3, or registered assigns, the principal sum [as set forth in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Notes” attached hereto]4 [of $[_______]]5, which amount, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $230,000,000 in aggregate at any time, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, on June 1, 2029, and interest thereon as set forth below.

 

This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 2.875% per year from May 19, 2023, or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until June 1, 2029. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on December 1, 2023, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding May 15 and November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) and Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of such Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) or Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.

 

Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election, in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.

 

The Company shall pay or cause the Paying Agent to pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if and so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay or cause the Paying Agent to pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in the contiguous United States, as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange.

 

 

 

1 Include if a global note.

2 Include if a global note.

3 Include if a physical note.

4 Include if a global note.

5 Include if a physical note.

 

A-3


 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash and, if applicable, shares of Common Stock on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.

 

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually, by facsimile or by PDF transmission by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

A-4


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

  VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
   
  By:                      
    Name:
    Title:

 

Dated:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes described
in the within-named Indenture.

 

By:                                                              
  Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

2.875% Convertible Senior Note due 2029

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $230,000,000, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 19, 2023 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used in this Note and not defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

In case certain Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Redemption Price on any Redemption Date and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.

 

Each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money and/or shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, herein prescribed.

 

A-6


 

The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.

 

The Notes shall be redeemable at the Company’s option in certain circumstances on or after June 8, 2026 in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the Indenture. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

 

Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Holder has the right, at such Holder’s option and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into cash and, if applicable, shares of Common Stock, and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture, in each case, at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.

 

A-7


 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM = as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

 

CUST = Custodian

 

TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties

 


JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A-8


 

SCHEDULE A6

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is _______ DOLLARS ($[_________]). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange   Amount of
decrease in
principal amount
of this Global Note
  Amount of
increase in
principal amount
of this Global Note
  Principal amount
of this Global Note
following such
decrease or
increase
  Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Custodian
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

 

6 Include if a global note.

 

A-9


 

ATTACHMENT 1

 

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

 

To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

 

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into cash and, if applicable, shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

Dated:    
       
       
      Signature(s)

 

   

Signature Guarantee

 

Signature(s) must be guaranteed
by an eligible Guarantor Institution
(banks, stock brokers, savings and
loan associations and credit unions)
with membership in an approved
signature guarantee medallion program
pursuant to Securities and Exchange
Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares
of Common Stock are to be issued, or
Notes are to be delivered, other than
to and in the name of the registered holder.

 

1


 

Fill in for registration of shares if
to be issued, and Notes if to
be delivered, other than to and in the
name of the registered holder:

 

   

(Name)

 

   

(Street Address)

 

   

(City, State and Zip Code)

Please print name and address

 

  Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $______,000

 

  NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

   
  Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

2


 

ATTACHMENT 2

 

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]

 

To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

 

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Veeco Instruments Inc. (the “Company”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:

 

Dated:    
       
       
      Signature(s)

 

   
  Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

  Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all): $______,000

 

  NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

1


 

ATTACHMENT 3

 

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]

 

For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

In connection with any transfer of the within Note occurring prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, as defined in the Indenture governing such Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:

 

¨      To Veeco Instruments Inc. or a subsidiary thereof; or

 

¨     Pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

 

¨     Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

 

¨     Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

1


 

Dated:    

 

 

   

 

   

Signature(s)

 

   

Signature Guarantee

 

Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an
eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock
brokers, savings and loan associations and
credit unions) with membership in an approved
signature guarantee medallion program pursuant
to Securities and Exchange Commission
Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to be delivered, other
than to and in the name of the registered holder.

 

NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

2

 

EX-10.1 3 tm2316279d1_ex10-1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of May 19, 2023 (this “Amendment”), is by and among VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the Guarantors party hereto, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacities, “Agent”), and the financial institutions from time to time party to the Loan Agreement (as defined below) signatory hereto (collectively, the “Lenders”).

 

WHEREAS, Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders and Agent have previously entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, and as amended by this Amendment and as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lenders have made certain loans and financial accommodations available to Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has informed the Lenders and Agent that, substantially contemporaneously herewith, the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes (as such terms are defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) are being refinanced with proceeds of First Amendment Convertible Notes (as defined in the Loan Agreement) comprising Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness in accordance with Section 7.15(a) of the Loan Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Loan Parties have requested that Agent and the Lenders amend certain terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement and Agent and the Lenders are willing to amend such terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein in accordance with Section 15.2 of the Existing Loan Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15.2 of the Existing Loan Agreement, the consent of Agent and the Required Lenders is required for the effectiveness of the amendments to the Existing Loan Agreement set forth in this Amendment, and Agent and the Required Lenders have agreed to consent to such amendments to the Existing Loan Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each of Borrower and the other Loan Parties is entering into this Amendment with the understanding and agreement that, except as specifically provided herein, none of Agent’s, Issuer’s or any Lender’s rights or remedies as set forth in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are being waived or modified by the terms of this Amendment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.      Defined Terms; References. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each term used herein which is defined in the Loan Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement. The rules of construction and other interpretive provisions specified in Sections 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 of the Loan Agreement shall apply to this Amendment, including terms defined in the preamble and recitals hereto.

 

Section 2.      Amendments to the Loan Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction in full of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in Annex A attached hereto such that all of the newly inserted double underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) and any formatting changes attached hereto shall be deemed to be inserted and all of the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner in the following example: ) shall be deemed to be deleted therefrom.

 

 


 

Section 3.      Effectiveness. This Amendment shall not be effective until each of the following conditions precedent have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of (and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to) or waived by Agent and the Required Lenders (such date, the “First Amendment Effective Date”):

 

(a)            Amendment. This Amendment shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Loan Parties, Agent and the Required Lenders, and Agent shall have received a fully executed copy hereof.

 

(b)            Fees and Expenses. Agent shall have received all fees payable to Agent on or prior to the First Amendment Effective Date pursuant to the Loan Agreement and all other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Agent on or prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

 

(c)            Closing Certificate. Agent shall have received a closing certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower dated as of the date hereof, stating that (i) all representations and warranties set forth in this Amendment, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date except to the extent such representations or warranties are limited by their terms to a specific date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification)), (ii) on such date no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result from the closing of this Amendment, (iii) the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or equivalent authority) of each Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment previously delivered to the Agent have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded, (iv) the individuals identified by name and title as the officers, directors and/or authorized signatories of each Loan Party on the applicable certificate previously delivered to the Agent continue to be authorized to sign this Amendment on behalf of such Loan Party; (v) the applicable certificate of incorporation (or certificate of formation) of each Loan Party previously delivered to the Agent remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof without amendment or other modification; (vi) the applicable by-laws (or operating agreement) of each Loan Party other than the Borrower previously delivered to the Administrative Agent remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof without amendment or other modification; and (vii) attached to the Closing Certificate is a true, correct and complete copy of the by-laws of the Borrower in effect on the date hereof and except as reflected therein there have been no amendments, restatements or other modifications thereto.

 

(d)            Purchase Agreement. Agent shall have received shall have received a true and correct copy of that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2023, by and between the Borrower and Barclays Capital Inc.

 

2


 

Section 4.      Effect of Amendment. Except as expressly set forth herein or in the Loan Agreement, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders or Agent under the Loan Agreement or under any Loan Document and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan Agreement or any other provision of the Loan Agreement or any Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. On and as of the First Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereof”, “hereunder”, “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference, and each reference in any Loan Document to “the Loan Agreement”, “thereof”, “thereunder”, “therein” or “thereby” or any other similar reference to the Loan Agreement shall refer to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.

 

Section 5.      Representations and Warranties. As of the First Amendment Effective Date, each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to Agent and the Required Lenders that:

 

(a)            such Loan Party has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Amendment and to perform all its Obligations hereunder and under the Loan Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment (i) are within such Loan Party’s corporate or limited liability company power, as applicable, have been duly authorized, are not in contravention of applicable law or the terms of such Loan Party’s by-laws, operating agreement, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, as applicable, or other applicable documents relating to such Loan Party’s organization or formation or to the conduct of such Loan Party’s business or of any agreement or undertaking to which such Loan Party is a party or by which such Loan Party is bound, and (ii) will neither conflict with nor result in any breach in any of the provisions of or constitute a default under or result in the creation of any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances upon any asset of such Loan Party under the provisions of any agreement, charter document, by-law, or other instrument to which such Loan Party or its property is a party or by which it may be bound;

 

(b)            this Amendment and the Loan Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability;

 

(c)            after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of such Loan Party in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date except to the extent such representations or warranties are limited by their terms to a specific date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification)); and

 

(d)            after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment.

 

Section 6.      Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principals.

 

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Section 7.      Counterparts; Telecopied Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Amendment, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 2 of this Amendment, this Amendment shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Agent and when Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment or any certificate delivered hereunder, by fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. or such certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of this Amendment, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

Section 8.      Miscellaneous. This Amendment constitutes a Loan Document.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

  VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC., as Borrower
   
     
  By: /s/ John P. Kiernan
  Name: John P. Kiernan
  Title: Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
     
     
  VEECO PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC., as a Guarantor
     
  By: /s/ John P. Kiernan
  Name: John P. Kiernan
  Title: Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
     
     
  VEECO APAC LLC, as a Guarantor
     
  By: /s/ John P. Kiernan
  Name: John P. Kiernan
  Title: Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

  HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
  as Agent
   
   
  By: /s/ Bertha Gallardo
  Name: Bertha Gallardo
  Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

  HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
     
     
  By: /s/ William Conlan
  Name: William Conlan
  Title: SVP, Relationship Manager

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

  Barclays Bank PLC,
  as a Lender
     
     
  By: /s/ Adam E. Schroeder
  Name: Adam E. Schroeder
  Title: Assistant Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

  Citibank N.A.,
  as a Lender
   
   
  By: /s/ Robert Robin
  Name: Robert Robin
  Title: SVP

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

  Santander Bank N.A.,
  as a Lender
   
   
  By: /s/ Puiki Lok
  Name: Puiki Lok
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

 

 


 

ANNEX A

 

[See attached.]

 

 


LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of December 16, 2021 among VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC., as Borrower, the Guarantors that are from time to time parties hereto, the Lenders that are from time to time parties hereto, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, BARCLAYS BANK PLC, SANTANDER BANK, N.A. and CITIBANK, N.A. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page -i-DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 I. DEFINITIONS. 1 1.1. Accounting Terms. 1 1.2. General Terms. 1 1.3. UCC Terms. 42 1.4. Certain Matters of Construction. 42 1.5. Divisions. 43 II. ADVANCES, PAYMENTS. 43 2.1. Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans. 43 2.2. Procedure for Borrowing. 45 2.3. Disbursement of Advance Proceeds. 46 2.4. Incremental Loans. 46 2.5. Maximum Advances and Letters of Credit. 48 2.6. Repayment of Advances. 49 2.7. Repayment of Excess Revolving Advances. 49 2.8. Statement of Account. 49 2.9. Letters of Credit. 50 2.10. Issuance of Letters of Credit. 50 2.11. Requirements for Issuance of Letters of Credit. 51 2.12. Additional Payments. 52 2.13. Manner of Borrowing and Payment. 52 2.14. Mandatory Prepayments. 53 2.15. Use of Proceeds. 54 2.16. Defaulting Lender. 54 III. INTEREST AND FEES. 56 3.1. Interest. 56 3.2. Letter of Credit Fees; Cash Collateral. 56 3.3. Unused Commitment Fee. 57 3.4. Fee Letter. 57 3.5. Computation of Interest and Fees. 57 3.6. Maximum Charges. 57 3.7. Increased Costs. 57 3.8. Benchmark Replacement. 58


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DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page -ii-3.9. Capital Adequacy. 59 3.10. Taxes. 60 IV. COLLATERAL: GENERAL TERMS. 64 4.1. Security Interest in the Collateral. 64 4.2. Perfection of Security Interest. 64 4.3. [Reserved]. 65 4.4. Preservation of Collateral. 65 4.5. Ownership of Collateral. 65 4.6. Defense of Agent’s and Lenders’ Interests. 66 4.7. Books and Records. 66 4.8. Financial Disclosure. 66 4.9. Compliance with Laws. 67 4.10. Inspection of Premises. 67 4.11. Insurance. 67 4.12. [Reserved]. 68 4.13. Payment of Taxes. 68 4.14. Payment of Leasehold Obligations. 68 4.15. [Reserved]. 68 4.16. [Reserved]. 68 4.17. [Reserved]. 68 4.18. Exculpation of Liability. 68 4.19. [Reserved]. 69 4.20. Financing Statements. 69 4.21. [Reserved]. 69 4.22. Agent as Collateral Agent. 69 V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. 71 5.1. Authority. 71 5.2. Formation and Qualification. 72 5.3. [Reserved]. 72 5.4. Tax Returns. 72 5.5. Financial Statements. 72 5.6. Entity Name. 73


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DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page -iii-5.7. O.S.H.A. and Environmental Compliance. 73 5.8. Solvency; No Litigation, Violation, Indebtedness or Default. 73 5.9. Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses. 74 5.10. Licenses and Permits. 75 5.11. No Defaults. 75 5.12. No Burdensome Restrictions. 75 5.13. No Labor Disputes. 75 5.14. Margin Regulations. 75 5.15. Investment Company Act. 76 5.16. Disclosure. 76 5.17. Swaps. 76 5.18. Conflicts. 76 5.19. [Reserved]. 76 5.20. Business and Property of Loan Parties. 76 5.21. Material Contracts. 77 5.22. Sanctions. 77 5.23. Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws. 77 5.24. [Reserved]. 77 5.25. Beneficial Ownership Certification. 77 VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. 77 6.1. Payment of Fees. 78 6.2. Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence and Assets. 78 6.3. Violations. 78 6.4. Use of Proceeds 78 6.5. Execution of Supplemental Instruments. 78 6.6. Payment of Indebtedness. 78 6.7. Standards of Financial Statements. 78 6.8. Financial Covenants. 79 6.9. Keepwell 79 6.10. Designation of Subsidiaries 79 6.11. Post-Closing Obligations 80 VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. 80


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DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page -iv-7.1. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. 80 7.2. Creation of Liens; Negative Pledges. 81 7.3. Guarantees. 81 7.4. Investments. 81 7.5. Sales and Lease-Backs 81 7.6. Restricted Payments. 82 7.7. Indebtedness. 82 7.8. Nature of Business. 82 7.9. Transactions with Affiliates. 83 7.10. [Reserved]. 83 7.11. Subsidiaries 83 7.12. Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes. 83 7.13. Compliance with ERISA. 83 7.14. Amendment of Documents and Material Contracts. 84 7.15. Prepayment, Amendment of Indebtedness. 84 7.16. State of Organization. 85 7.17. Sanctions; Anti-Bribery Laws. 85 VIII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. 85 8.1. Conditions to the Closing Date. 85 8.2. Conditions to Each Advance. 88 IX. INFORMATION AS TO LOAN PARTIES. 88 9.1. Disclosure of Material Matters. 89 9.2. [Reserved]. 89 9.3. [Reserved]. 89 9.4. Litigation. 89 9.5. Material Occurrences. 89 9.6. [Reserved]. 89 9.7. Annual Audited Financial Statements. 89 9.8. Quarterly Financial Statements. 89 9.9. Minimum Liquidity[Reserved]. 90 9.10. Other Reports. 90 9.11. Additional Information. 90


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DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page -v-9.12. Projected Operating Budget. 90 9.13. [Reserved]. 91 9.14. Notice of Suits, Events. 91 9.15. ERISA Notices and Requests. 91 9.16. [Reserved]. 91 9.17. [Reserved]. 91 9.18. Beneficial Ownership Documentation. 91 9.19. [Reserved]. 91 9.20. Additional Documents. 91 X. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. 91 XI. LENDERS’ RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AFTER DEFAULT. 93 11.1. Rights and Remedies. 93 11.2. Application of Proceeds. 94 11.3. Agent’s Discretion. 94 11.4. Setoff. 95 11.5. Rights and Remedies Not Exclusive. 95 XII. WAIVERS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 95 12.1. Waiver of Notice. 95 12.2. Delay. 95 12.3. Jury Waiver. 95 XIII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION. 96 13.1. Term. 96 13.2. Termination. 96 XIV. REGARDING AGENT. 96 14.1. Appointment. 96 14.2. Nature of Duties. 97 14.3. Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation. 98 14.4. Certain Rights of Agent. 99 14.5. Reliance. 100 14.6. Notice of Default. 100 14.7. Indemnification. 100 14.8. Agent in its Individual Capacity. 101


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DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page -vi-14.9. Delivery of Documents. 101 14.10. Loan Parties’ Undertaking to Agent. 101 14.11. Bankruptcy Proceedings. 101 14.12. No Liability for Clean-Up of Hazardous Materials. 102 14.13. Certain ERISA Matters. 102 14.14. Rates. 103 14.15. Erroneous Payments. 103 14.16. Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners 106 XV. MISCELLANEOUS. 106 15.1. Governing Law. 106 15.2. Entire Understanding; Amendments. 107 15.3. Successors and Assigns; Participations; New Lenders. 108 15.4. Application of Payments. 110 15.5. Indemnity; Funding Losses. 111 15.6. Notice. 111 15.7. Survival. 112 15.8. Severability. 113 15.9. Expenses. 113 15.10. Injunctive Relief. 113 15.11. Consequential Damages. 113 15.12. Captions. 114 15.13. Counterparts; Telecopied Signatures. 114 15.14. Construction. 114 15.15. Confidentiality. 114 15.16. Publicity. 115 15.17. Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Loan Documents 115 15.18. Confirmation of Flood Policies and Procedures 115 15.19. Patriot Act Notice. 116 15.20. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. 116 15.21. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. 116 15.22. Currency Conversion. 117 15.23. Lender Representations. 117


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-i-DB1/ 125929715.14138282728.9 List of Exhibits and Schedules Exhibits Exhibit A [Reserved] Exhibit B Form of Compliance Certificate Exhibit C Form of Revolving Credit Note Exhibit D Form of Promissory Note for Swingline Loans Exhibit E Form of Notice of Borrowing Exhibit F Form of Notice of Conversion Exhibits H-1 to H-4 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates Exhibit I Form of Commitment Transfer Supplement Schedules Schedule 1.1 Commitments Schedule 1.2(a) Commercial Tort Claims Schedule 1.2(b) Subsidiary Guarantors Schedule 1.3 Unrestricted Subsidiaries Schedule 4.5 Locations Schedule 5.2(a) Formation and Qualification Schedule 5.2(b) Subsidiaries and Equityholders Schedule 5.4 Federal Tax Identification Nos. Schedule 5.6 Entity Names Schedule 5.7 Environmental Schedule 5.8(b) Litigation Schedule 5.8(d) Plans Schedule 5.9 Intellectual Property Schedule 5.10 Licenses and Permits Schedule 6.11 Post-Closing Obligations Schedule 7.2 Existing Liens Schedule 7.3(a) Existing Guarantees Schedule 7.3(b) Existing Subsidiary Guarantees Schedule 7.4 Existing Investments Schedule 7.7 Existing Indebtedness Schedule 7.9 Existing Affiliate Transactions


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LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT This Loan and Security Agreement is entered into as of December 16, 2021, by and among Veeco Instruments Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) which are now or which hereafter become a party hereto, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“HSBC”) and the other financial institutions which are now or which hereafter become a party hereto (each, a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), HSBC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacities, the “Agent”), and HSBC, Barclays Bank PLC, Santander Bank, N.A. and CitiBank, N.A. as joint lead arrangers (in such capacity, the “Joint Lead Arrangers”) and joint bookrunners (in such capacity, the “Joint Bookrunners”). WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility of up to an aggregate principal amount of $150,000,000 to pay fees and expenses related to the Transactions (as hereinafter defined) and for ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes, and the Lenders have agreed to provide such a revolving credit facility and the Issuer (as hereinafter defined) has indicated its willingness to provide a letter of credit facility (as a sub-facility of such revolving credit facility), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend, and the Issuer has indicated its willingness to issue Letters of Credit, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants and undertakings herein contained, each Loan Party (as defined below), the Lenders and the Agent hereby agree as follows: I. DEFINITIONS. 1.1. Accounting Terms. As used in this Agreement, the Notes, any Loan Document, or any certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, accounting terms not defined in Section 1.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.2 to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP; provided, however, whenever such accounting terms are used for the purposes of determining compliance with financial covenants in this Agreement, such accounting terms shall be defined in accordance with GAAP as applied in preparation of the audited financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt any lease that is treated as an operating lease for purposes of GAAP as of December 14, 2018 shall not be treated as Indebtedness or as a capital lease and shall continue to be treated as an operating lease (and any future lease, if it were in effect on the date hereof, that would be treated as an operating lease for purposes of GAAP as of the date hereof shall be treated as an operating lease), in each case for purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any actual or proposed change in GAAP after the date hereof. 1.2. General Terms. For purposes of this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings: “2023 Convertible Notes” means the 2.70% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023, issued by Borrower in the original aggregate principal amount of $345,000,000 pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of January 18, 2017, by and among Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as


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the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof. “2025 Convertible Notes” means the 3.50% Convertible Senior Exchange Notes due 2025, issued by Borrower in the original aggregate principal amount of $132,500,000 pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2020, by and among Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof. “2025 Convertible Notes Maturity Date” means January 15, 2025, or any such later date on which the 2025 Convertible Notes shall mature pursuant to any refinancing of the 2025 Convertible Notes permitted under Section 7.15 hereto. “2027 Convertible Notes” means the 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027, issued by Borrower in the original aggregate principal amount of $125,000,000 pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2020, by and among Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof. “Accountants” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.7. “Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment. “Adjustment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Applicable Margin”. “Advances” shall mean and include the Revolving Advances, Swingline Loans, and Letters of Credit. “Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution. “Affiliate” of any Person shall mean (a) any Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, or (b) any Person who is a director, officer, manager, managing member or partner (i) of such Person, (ii) of any Subsidiary of such Person or (iii) of any Person described in clause (a) above. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall mean the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of Equity Interests, contract or otherwise. “Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include its successors and permitted assigns. “Agent Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.23. “Agreement” shall mean this Loan and Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time. “Applicable Law” shall mean all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Person, conduct, transaction, covenant, Loan Document or contract in question, including all applicable common law and equitable principles; all provisions of all applicable state, federal and foreign constitutions, statutes, 2


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3 0.50% 0.50% 1.50% 1.50% APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR DOMESTIC RATE LOANS Greater than or equal to 0.75:1.00 but less than 1.50:1.00 Thereafter, effective as of the first Business Day following receipt by Agent of the financial statements of Borrower and Compliance Certificate for the quarter ending December 31, 2021 required under Section 9.8, and thereafter upon receipt of the financial statements of Borrower required under Sections 9.7 and 9.8, as applicable, for each fiscal quarter or fiscal year ending thereafter (each day of such delivery, an “Adjustment Date”), the Applicable Margin shall be adjusted, if necessary, to the applicable percent per annum set forth in the pricing table set forth below corresponding to the Secured Net Leverage Ratio for the trailing twelve month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the applicable Adjustment Date (each such period, a “Calculation Period”): 0.75% 1.75% SECURED NET LEVERAGE RATIO Greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00 but less than 2.25:1.00 APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR SOFR LOANS 1.00% APPLICABLE MARGINS FOR DOMESTIC RATE LOANS 2.00% rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Body, and all orders, judgments and decrees of all courts and arbitrators. “Applicable Margin” shall mean, as of the Closing Date, the applicable percentage specified below: APPLICABLE MARGINS FOR SOFR LOANS Greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00 1.25% 2.25% If Borrower shall fail to deliver the financial statements, certificates and/or other information required under Sections 9.7 and 9.8, as applicable, by the dates required pursuant to such sections, each Applicable Margin shall be conclusively presumed to equal the highest Applicable Margin specified in the pricing table set forth above until the date of delivery of such financial statements, certificates and/or other information, at which time the rate will be adjusted based upon the Secured Net Leverage Ratio reflected in such statements. If, as a result of any restatement of, or other adjustment to, the financial statements of Borrower or for any other reason, Agent determines in its reasonable discretion after consultation with Borrower that (a) the Secured Net Leverage Ratio as previously calculated as of any applicable date was inaccurate, and (b) a proper calculation of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in different pricing for any period, then (i) if the proper calculation of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, Borrower shall automatically and retroactively be required to pay to the Lender, promptly upon demand by the Lender, an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest actually paid for such period; and Less than 0.75:1.00


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(ii) if the proper calculation of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in lower pricing for such period, Lender shall have no obligation to repay interest to Borrower; provided that, if as a result of any restatement or other event a proper calculation of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for one or more periods and lower pricing for one or more other periods (due to the shifting of income or expenses from one period to another period or any similar reason), then the amount payable by Borrower pursuant to clause (i) above shall be equal to the excess, if any, of the amount of interest that should have been paid for all applicable periods over the amounts of interest actually paid for such periods. “Approved Fund” shall mean any Fund that is advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. “Authority” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(c). “Authorized Officer” shall mean with respect to any Loan Party, the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, senior accountant, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, controller, comptroller or any other Person with an equivalent title or role of such Loan Party or such other officers as Borrower shall designate in writing to Agent, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, senior accountant, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller, comptroller or any other Person with an equivalent title or role of Borrower. “Available Amount” shall mean Maximum Revolving Advance Amount minus, in either case, the sum of (1) the outstanding amount of the Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans plus (2) the Letter of Credit Reserve. “Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (x) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 3.8. “Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution. “Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings). “Bank Product Obligations” shall mean the following services or facilities extended to any Loan Party by Agent, Lender or any of their respective Affiliates: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH transactions, EFT or any other electronic funds 4


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transfer, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement accounts or services, and (g) trade finance arrangements. “Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Chapter 1 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C §202, et seq.), as amended from time to time. “Bankruptcy Proceeding” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.11. “Base Rate” shall mean, on any date, a variable rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the highest of the “prime rate,” “reference rate,” “base rate” or other similar rate as determined by Agent (or any successor to Agent) announced from time to time by HSBC (or any successor to HSBC) (with the understanding that any such rate may merely be a reference rate and may not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer by such bank), (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1%, and (c) Adjusted Term SOFR for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus one percent (1.00%) per annum; and each change in any interest rate provided for in this Agreement based upon Base Rate shall take effect at the time of such change in the Base Rate. “Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 3.8. “Benchmark Replacement” means with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date: (a) Daily Simple SOFR; or (b) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities. 5


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“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or (b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative or non-compliant with or non-aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks; provided that such non-representativeness, non-compliance or non-alignment will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date. For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof). “Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); (b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or (c) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date 6


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will not be, representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks. For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof). “Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.8 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.8. “Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. “Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. Sec. 1010.230. “Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”. “BHC Act Affiliate” of a Person means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such Person. “Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all of its successors and assigns expressly permitted under this Agreement. “Borrower’s Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8. “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. “Calculation Period” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Applicable Margin”. “Capital Lease” shall mean any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) that, in conformity with GAAP, should be accounted for as a capital lease. “Capital Lease Obligations” shall have the meaning provided in sub-clause (c) of the definition of “Indebtedness”. “Cash Equivalents” shall mean: (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within two (2) years from the date of acquisition thereof; (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year from the date issued and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service or at least P-1 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (c) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one (1) year from the date of issuance thereof issued by, or overnight reverse repurchase agreements from, any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 and whose 7


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short-term debt obligations are rated at least P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service; (d) up to $100,000 per institution and up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate in (i) short-term debt obligations issued by any local commercial bank or trust company located in those areas where Borrower conducts its business, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or (ii) commercial bank-insured money market funds, or any combination of investments described in clauses (i) and (ii); (e) overnight investments with such financial institutions having a short term deposit rating of at least P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, (f) money market mutual funds that (i) invest solely in the investments described in clauses (a) through (e) above or (ii) (A) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (B) are rated at least Aaa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and at least AAA by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service and (C) have portfolio assets of not less than $5,000,000,000, (g) marketable corporate bonds for which an active trading market exists and price quotations are available, in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof and issued by Persons that are not Affiliates of Borrower and where such Persons (i) have a long-term credit rating of at least A+ from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service or A1 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., (h) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within two (2) years from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service or at least P-1 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and (i) deposit accounts maintained with (x) any commercial bank that satisfies the criteria described in clause (c) above, or (y) any other commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof so long as the full amount maintained with any such other bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. “Casualty Event” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards arising from any damage to, destruction of, or other casualty or loss involving, or any seizure, condemnation, confiscation or taking under power of eminent domain of, or requisition of title or use of or relating to or in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or Real Property (including any improvements thereon) of Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary. “CERCLA” shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq. “CFC” shall mean a Subsidiary of Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code. “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following: (a) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) of forty percent (40%) or more of the voting Equity Interests of Borrower (excluding any such Equity Interests acquired by any employee of the Loan Parties or their Affiliates pursuant to stock option and other compensation plans and benefit programs or agreements approved by Borrower’s board of directors (or equivalent governing body)); (b) any person or group of persons shall have acquired, by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, control over the Equity Interests of such persons entitled to vote for members of the board of directors of Borrower (on a fully diluted basis and taking into account all such Equity Interests that such person or group of persons has the right to acquire 8


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pursuant to any option right) representing forty percent (40%) or more of the combined voting power of such Equity Interests; or (c) Borrower fails to directly or indirectly own and control one hundred percent (100%) of each class of the outstanding Equity Interests of each other Loan Party, except in connection with a transaction permitted under this Agreement. “Closing Date” shall mean the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 8.1 shall have been satisfied or waived by Agent and, as applicable, the Lenders or the Required Lenders, which date is December 16, 2021. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect. “Collateral” shall mean and include, with respect to each Loan Party: (a) all Receivables; (b) all Equipment; (c) all General Intangibles (including, without limitation, all Intellectual Property); (d) all chattel paper; (e) all Inventory; (f) all instruments; (g) all goods; (h) all Investment Property, including, without limitation, all Subsidiary Stock; (i) Equity Interests; (j) all money, cash and Cash Equivalents; (k) all letters of credit, letter-of-credit rights and supporting obligations; (l) all deposit accounts and securities accounts with any bank or other financial institution or securities intermediary (including all cash, Cash Equivalents, financial assets, negotiable instruments and other evidence of payment, and other funds on deposit or credited thereto); (m) all commercial tort claims, including those specified on Schedule 1.2(a); and (n) all of the Proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance or commercial tort claims covering or relating to any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Receivables, books and records, chattel paper, deposit accounts, Equipment, instruments, goods, fixtures, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Property, Intellectual Property, securities accounts, Equity Interests, letters of credit, letter-of-credit rights, supporting obligations, money, cash, Cash Equivalents or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, lease, license, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, the proceeds of any 9


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award in condemnation with respect to any of the foregoing, any rebates or refunds, whether for taxes or otherwise, and all proceeds of any such proceeds, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof, and all proceeds of any loss of, damage to, or destruction of the above, whether insured or not insured, and, to the extent not otherwise included, any indemnity, warranty, or guaranty payable by reason of loss or damage to, or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing (the “Proceeds”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Proceeds” includes whatever is receivable or received when Investment Property or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to any Loan Party or Agent from time to time with respect to any of the Investment Property. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in, and “Collateral” shall not include: (A) any property to the extent that such grant of a security interest is prohibited by any Applicable Law or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any contract, lease, permit, license or license agreement, except to the extent that such Applicable Law or the term in such contract, lease, permit, license or license agreement is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other Applicable Law (including the Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity; provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as such Applicable Law is not effective or applicable, or such prohibition, breach, default or termination is no longer applicable or is waived, and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of the Collateral that does not result in such consequences; and provided, further, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to limit, impair, or otherwise affect Agent’s continuing security interests in and Liens upon any rights or interest of any Loan Party in or to (i) monies due or to become due under or in connection with any described contract, lease, permit, license or license agreement (including, without limitation, in respect of any Receivables or proceeds of Inventory), or (ii) any proceeds from the sale, license, lease or other disposition of any such contract, lease, permit, license or license agreement; (B) interests in Real Property; (C) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, (D) Subsidiary Stock in excess of 65% of the voting Equity Interests of any FSHCO or CFC to the extent such action would, in the good faith judgment of Borrower, result in adverse Tax consequences to Borrower or any of its direct or indirect beneficial owners; (E) any assets to the extent that the costs, tax consequences or regulatory consequences to any Loan Party (or any of its equity holders) of obtaining such a security interest or the perfection thereof shall exceed the benefit of the collateral security provided to Agent, as reasonably agreed upon by Agent and Borrower; (F) any asset subject to capital leases and purchase money financing to the extent such capital leases and purchase money financing are permitted under this Agreement and prohibit the granting of a Lien; (G) any application for registration of a trademark filed with the USPTO on an intent-to-use basis until such time (if any) as a statement of use or amendment to allege use is accepted by the USPTO, at which time such trademark shall automatically become part of the Collateral and subject to the security interest pledged; (H) Excluded Accounts; (I) Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of any FSHCO or CFC; and (J) for the avoidance of doubt, the Equity Interests of Borrower (clauses (A) through (J) above, collectively, the “Excluded Property”); provided that “Excluded Property” shall not include any Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Property (unless such Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Property). “Collateral Agent” shall mean HSBC, in its capacity as collateral agent for Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders, and its successors and permitted assigns. 10


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11 Greater than or equal to 0.75:1.00 but less than 1.50:1.00 COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE 0.30% “Commitment Fee Percentage” shall mean, as of the most recent Adjustment Date, the applicable percent per annum set forth in the pricing table set forth below corresponding to the Secured Net Leverage Ratio for the Calculation Period: Greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00 but less than 2.25:1.00 0.35% Less than 0.75:1.00 Greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00 0.25% 0.35% SECURED NET LEVERAGE RATIO provided that for the period from the Closing Date through and including the first Adjustment Date following the Closing Date, the Commitment Fee Percentage shall be 0.25%. “Commitment Percentage” of any Lender shall mean each percentage set forth below such Lender’s under the applicable heading on Schedule 1.1 to this Agreement as same may be adjusted upon any assignment by a Lender pursuant to Section 15.3 or upon the making of an Incremental Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.4. “Commitment Transfer Supplement” shall mean a document in the form of Exhibit I, properly completed and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent by which the Purchasing Lender purchases and assumes a portion of outstanding Advances and the obligation of Lenders to make Advances under this Agreement. “Commitments” shall mean, as to any Lender, its obligation to make Advances (including participating in Letters of Credit) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth below such Lender’s name under the applicable heading on Schedule 1.1 to this Agreement under the heading “Commitment Amount”, as same may be adjusted upon any assignment by a Lender pursuant to Section 15.3 or upon the making of an Incremental Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.4. “Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. §1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute. “Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate of an Authorized Officer of Borrower in the form of Exhibit B hereto. “Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the


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applicability of Section 3.8 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents). “Connection Income Taxes” shall mean Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes. “Consents” shall mean all filings and all governmental or regulatory licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Bodies and other third parties, domestic or foreign, necessary to carry on any Loan Party’s business or necessary (including to avoid a conflict or breach under any agreement, instrument, other document, license, permit or other authorization) for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, including any Consents required under all applicable federal, state or other Applicable Law. “Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for any Person and its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries), for any fiscal period, an amount equal to the sum of: a) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus b) solely to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and without duplication, i. Consolidated Interest Expense, ii. provision for Taxes imposed on Borrower and its Subsidiaries based on income or profits or capital as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, federal, state, local, foreign, franchise, excise, value added, and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued during such period including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations and any tax distributions related to the foregoing or otherwise permitted under this Agreement, and iii. depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred financing fees) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus c) except with respect to clauses (iii), (v) and (vi) of this clause (c), to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period (if applicable), and without duplication, i. expenses, losses, charges or write-downs deemed unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence in accordance with GAAP, ii. non-cash charges, expenses or losses, including, without limitation, any non-cash compensation, non-cash translation (gain) loss and non-cash expense relating to the vesting of warrants (except to the extent such non-cash charge represents an accrual for a future cash charge), iii. restructuring, integration, business optimization costs, costs related to undertaking cost saving initiatives, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and other 12


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synergies, retention, recruiting, relocation and other types of bonuses and expenses, and severance costs, iv. any costs, fees (including, without limitation, reasonably documented board and consultant fees) and expenses in connection with (i) the negotiation, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, any other agreements entered into in connection therewith and the consummation of the transactions on the Closing Date and (ii) Permitted Acquisitions, Investments, dispositions (other than ordinary course dispositions), issuance, repayment, amendments or modifications, negotiation, forbearance, extension or waiver of Indebtedness or issuance of Equity Interests, in each case whether or not consummated; provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (iv) in respect of any such transaction not permitted by this Agreement shall not exceed 5.0% of Consolidated EBITDA after giving effect to such add-back and all other add-backs contemplated in this definition, v. “run rate” cost savings, operating savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies from transactions permitted under this Agreement projected by Borrower in good faith to result from actions taken during such period to the extent Borrower reasonably expects to realize such savings, reductions and synergies within twenty-four (24) months of the date of taking such action (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such savings, reductions and synergies have been realized on the first day of such period, net of the aggregate amount of actual savings, reductions and synergy benefits realized) so long as such savings, reductions and synergies are reasonably identifiable, factually supported and set forth in reasonable detail in the applicable compliance certificate for such period; provided that, with respect to this clause (v), to the extent that such savings, reductions or synergies are not reasonably expected by Borrower to be realized within twenty-four (24) months of the date of taking such action, such savings, reductions and synergies shall not be included in this definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” for any period thereafter, vi. all adjustment of the type set forth in any quality of earnings report or other report conducted by any financial advisor or operational consultant that is nationally or regionally recognized, vii. (1) proceeds of business interruption insurance that are received and/or (2) charges, losses or expenses to the extent paid for, indemnified, insured or reimbursed by a third party, in each case, in cash (to the extent not directed to be paid by Borrower to a third party) or, so long as Borrower has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists that applicable insurance, payment, indemnification and/or reimbursement will occur within 365 days from the date of the underlying charge, loss or expense, and only to the extent that such amount is (A) not denied by the insurer or other applicable party in writing within 180 days and (B) in fact paid, indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so paid, indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), and viii.fees payable under Section 3.2, minus d) 13


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i) the sum of income and gain items corresponding to those referred to in clauses (c)(i) and (c)(ii) above, ii) any extraordinary, one-time or non-recurring gains, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the aggregate amount added back (excluding non-cash amounts) to the extent supported with reasonable documentation made pursuant to clauses (i), (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) shall not in any event exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA after giving effect to such add-backs and all other add-backs contemplated hereby, and (2) no cap or limitation shall apply with respect to non-cash amounts added back to Consolidated Net Income. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if during any applicable period any Loan Parties shall have consummated a Permitted Acquisition, or any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Person, business, property or assets, Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis with respect to such Person, business, property or assets so acquired or so disposed of. “Consolidated Funded Debt” shall mean, as of any date of determination, without duplication, all Indebtedness of any Person and its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries) of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (e), (f) (only with respect to unreimbursed amounts thereunder), and (h) (except to the extent relating to Indebtedness of the type described in clause (d) of the definition of Indebtedness) of the definition of Indebtedness and all guarantees by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the foregoing types of Indebtedness, in each case, measured on a consolidated basis as of such date. “Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any fiscal period, Interest Expense of any Person and its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis as shown in the profit and loss statement for that period, determined in accordance with GAAP, including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and net costs under Swap Obligations, but excluding, however, (i) amortization, expensing or write-off of financing costs or debt discount or expense, (ii) the portion of the upfront costs and expenses for Swap Obligations (to the extent included in interest expense) fairly allocated to such Swap Obligations as expenses for such period, less interest income on Hedging Agreements for that period and Hedging Agreement payments received, and (iii) any fees and/or expenses paid in connection with the consummation of the closing hereof and any agency fees payable to the Agent in connection with the Loan Documents, any Permitted Acquisition or other Permitted Investments or in connection with any amendment or waiver with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness or any expenses and upfront fees (including any original issue discount) incurred in connection with any Indebtedness the proceeds of which are applied to fund any Permitted Acquisition or other Permitted Investment. “Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any Person, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries), on a consolidated basis, for such period, excluding to the extent included therein any extraordinary, one-time or non-recurring gains, after deducting all charges which should be deducted before arriving at the net income (or loss) for such period including the Provision for Taxes for such period, all as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, (a) the net income of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid or payable to such Person or a majority-owned Subsidiary of such Person; (b) the effect of any change in accounting principles adopted by (or applicable to) such Person or its Subsidiaries after the date hereof (including any cumulative effects resulting from changes in purchase accounting principles) shall be excluded; (c) the net income (if positive) of any majority-owned Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such majority-owned Subsidiary to such Person or to any other majority-owned 14


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Subsidiary of such Person is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such majority-owned Subsidiary shall be excluded; and (d) the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the earlier of (i) the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries or (ii) the date such Person is merged into or consolidated with Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries or (iii) the date such Person’s assets are acquired by Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, shall be included as if such Permitted Acquisition occurred on the first day of such period. For the purpose of this definition, net income excludes any gain together with any related Provision for Taxes for such gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets other than in the ordinary course of business or of any Equity Interests of such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person. “Consolidated Total Assets” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the amount that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date. “Contract Rate” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.1 of this Agreement. “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. “Controlled Group” shall mean, at any time, the Loan Parties and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all other entities which, together with any Loan Party, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or Section 414(c) of the Code (or, solely for purposes of Section 412 of the Code, under Section 414(m) or (o) of the Code). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (c) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Covered Party” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.20 of this Agreement. “Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided that if Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for Agent, then Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion. “Default” shall mean an event, circumstance or condition which, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default. 15


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“Default Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1. “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “Defaulting Lender” shall means, subject to Section 2.16(e), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of any Advance within two (2) Business Days of the date such Advances were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies Agent and Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to Agent, the Issuer, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified Borrower, Agent or the Issuer or Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within two (2) Business Days after written request by Agent or Borrower, to confirm in writing to Agent and Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by Agent and Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, or any other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect, (ii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action or (iii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Body so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Body) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(e)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to Borrower, the Issuer, each Swingline Lender and each Lender. “Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests which do not otherwise constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Advances and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Revolving Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Equity Interests which do not otherwise constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness (which is not permitted under Section 7.7) or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Termination Date; provided, however, that only the portion of such Equity Interests which 16


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so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests. “Disqualified Institutions” shall mean (a) any Person designated by Borrower in writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date (and any Affiliate thereof clearly identifiable as an Affiliate solely on the basis of the similarity of its name), (b) any Person that is or becomes a competitor designated by Borrower in writing at any time (and any Affiliate thereof clearly identifiable as an Affiliate solely on the basis of the similarity of its name), (c) additional competitors designated by Borrower in writing at any time (and any Affiliate thereof clearly identifiable as an Affiliate thereof solely on the basis of the similarity of its name), and (d) any known Affiliate of a Person described in clauses (a) and (b) above identified in writing by Borrower to the Agent at any time; provided no designation shall have retroactive effect to any prior assignment to any Lender permitted hereunder or under the Loan Documents (but further assignments and participations shall be prohibited); and provided further that any addition to the Disqualified Institutions made in accordance with this paragraph shall not be effective until the 3rd Business Day following the Agent’s receipt of written notice of such addition. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce compliance with the provisions under the Loan Documents relating to Disqualified Institutions. “Dollars” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America. “Domestic Rate Loan” shall mean any Advance that bears interest based upon the Base Rate. “Domestic Subsidiary” of any Person, shall mean any Subsidiary of such Person that is organized or incorporated in the United States or any State or territory thereof. “EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent. “EEA Member Country” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. “EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution. “Election Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c). “Eligible Assignee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.3 (c). “Eligible Party” means an “eligible contract participant” for purposes of Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, regulations promulgated thereunder and binding guidance thereunder promulgated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. “Environmental Laws” shall mean all federal, state and local environmental, land use, zoning, health, chemical use, safety and sanitation laws, statutes, ordinances and codes relating to the protection of the environment and/or governing the use, storage, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, 17


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handling, production or disposal of Hazardous Substances and the rules, regulations, policies, guidelines, interpretations, decisions, orders and directives of federal, state and local governmental agencies and authorities with respect thereto. “Equipment” shall mean and include all of each Loan Party’s goods (other than Inventory) whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery, apparatus, motor vehicles, fittings, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, parts, accessories and all replacements and substitutions therefor or accessions thereto. “Equity Interests” of any Person shall mean any and all shares, rights to purchase, options, warrants, general, limited or limited liability partnership interests, member interests, participation or other equivalents of or interest in (regardless of how designated) equity of such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act). “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. “Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.15(a). “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.15(d)(i). “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.15(d)(i). “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.15(d)(i). “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.15(e). “EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time. “Event of Default” shall mean the occurrence of any of the events set forth in Article X. “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto. “Excluded Accounts” shall mean collectively, payroll accounts, escrow accounts, foreign accounts, fiduciary accounts, trust accounts, zero balance accounts and other accounts held exclusively for the benefit of an unaffiliated third party, including Tax escrow accounts, and employee benefits accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business. “Excluded Property” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Collateral”. “Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is (a) a Foreign Subsidiary, (b) an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (c) any Subsidiary acquired by Borrower that, at the time of the relevant acquisition, is an obligor in respect of assumed Indebtedness that is permitted under Section 7.7 and was not incurred or modified in contemplation of such acquisition to the extent (and solely for so long as) the documentation governing such assumed Indebtedness prohibits such Subsidiary from providing a guarantee hereunder, (d) prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation from guaranteeing the facilities under this Agreement, or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, 18


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license or authorization to provide a guarantee in each case, unless, such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received (but without obligation to seek the same), (e) prohibited from guaranteeing the Obligations by any contractual obligation in existence (x) on the Closing Date or (y) at the time of the acquisition of such Subsidiary after the Closing Date (to the extent such prohibition was not entered into in contemplation of such acquisition), (f) a not-for-profit Subsidiary, (g) any Special Purpose Subsidiary, (h) an FSHCO, (i) any Domestic Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of an FSHCO or CFC, (j) any Subsidiary regulated as an insurance company or any other captive insurance Subsidiary, (k) any Immaterial Subsidiary, and (l) any other Subsidiary with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and Borrower, the cost or other consequences (including any adverse Tax consequences) of guaranteeing the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom; provided that, notwithstanding the above, if a Subsidiary executes the Guaranty as a “Guarantor” then it shall not constitute an “Excluded Subsidiary” (unless released from its obligations under the Guaranty as a “Guarantor” in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof). “Excluded Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Person of, or the grant by such Person of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal or unenforceable under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Person’s failure for any reason not to constitute an Eligible Party. “Excluded Taxes” shall mean any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income or net profits (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in an Advance or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in an Advance or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by Borrower hereunder) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.10, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.10(g) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA. “Existing Convertible Notes” shall mean, collectively, the 2023 Convertible Notes, the 2025 Convertible Notes, and the 2027 Convertible Notes. “Existing Subsidiary Guarantees” means each of those guaranty obligations listed on Schedule 7.3(b). “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version described above), and any U.S. or non-U.S. fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules, guidance, notes or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Body 19


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entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code or analogous provisions of non-U.S. law. “FCPA” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.23. “Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published for such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of quotations for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three (3) Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Agent. “Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source. “Fee Letter” shall mean the Amended and Restated Fee Letter dated as of as of the date hereof between Borrower and HSBC. “First Amendment” means that certain First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, by and among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Lenders party thereto (which Lenders, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute at least the Required Lenders). “First Amendment Convertible Notes” means, collectively, any Existing Convertible Notes, any Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness issued as a replacement to all or a portion of the Existing Convertible Notes, and any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, in each case, in existence on or after the First Amendment Effective Date. “First Amendment Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the First Amendment. “Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to Term SOFR. “Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. “Foreign Subsidiary” of any Loan Party, shall mean any Subsidiary of such Loan Party that is not a Domestic Subsidiary. “Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuer other than Letter of Credit exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of outstanding Swingline Loans made by such Swingline Lender other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders. “FSHCO” shall mean any Domestic Subsidiary that has no material assets other than Equity Interests, or Equity Interests and Indebtedness in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs. 20


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“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business. “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time, consistently applied. “General Intangibles” shall mean and include, as to each Loan Party, all of such Loan Party’s general intangibles, whether now owned or hereafter acquired including, without limitation, all payment intangibles, choses in action, commercial tort claims, causes of action, corporate or other business records, inventions, designs, patents, patent applications, equipment formulations, manufacturing procedures, quality control procedures, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade secrets, goodwill, copyrights, design rights, software, computer information, source codes, codes, records and updates, registrations, licenses, franchises, customer lists, tax refunds, tax refund claims, computer programs and computer software, all claims under guaranties, security interests or other security held by or granted to such Loan Party to secure payment of any of the Receivables by a customer, all rights of indemnification and all other intangible property of every kind and nature (other than Receivables). “Governmental Body” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank). “Guarantor” shall mean (i) on the Closing Date, the Restricted Subsidiaries of Borrower listed on Schedule 1.2(b) and (ii) after the Closing Date, (x) each other Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, and (y) any other Person who may hereafter guarantee payment or performance of the whole or any part of the Obligations, and “Guarantors” means collectively all such Persons. For the avoidance of doubt, no Excluded Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor. “Guaranty” shall mean any guaranty of the Obligations executed by a Guarantor in favor of Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of Lenders, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time. “Hazardous Substance” shall mean, without limitation, any flammable explosives, radon, radioactive materials, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum and petroleum products, methane, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous or toxic substances or related materials as defined in CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Sections 1801, et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., or any other applicable Environmental Law and in the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. “Hedging Agreement” shall mean any interest rate exchange, collar, cap, swap, adjustable strike cap, adjustable strike corridor or similar agreement entered into by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to provide protection to, or minimize the impact upon, Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business and not for speculative purposes. “HSBC” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include its successors and permitted assigns. 21


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“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary as to which, as of any relevant date of determination, (a) the consolidated total assets of such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations) and all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date (and their respective Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations)), do not exceed an amount equal to 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets (giving effect to intercompany eliminations) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter, (b) the revenues of such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations) for such fiscal quarter and all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations) for such fiscal quarter do not exceed an amount equal to 5.0% of the consolidated revenues (giving effect to intercompany eliminations) of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such quarter, and (c) does not own any material Intellectual Property at such time; provided, if at any time after the Closing Date, Immaterial Subsidiaries comprise in the aggregate more than 12.5% of the consolidated revenues or 12.5% of the Consolidated Total Assets of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, then Borrower shall designate in writing to the Agent that one or more of such Subsidiaries is no longer an Immaterial Subsidiary such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true. As of the Closing Date, Ultratech Intl Inc. is the only Immaterial Subsidiary. “Increase Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d). “Incremental Revolving Commitment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b). “Indebtedness” of a Person at a particular date shall mean shall mean, without duplication: (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services or in respect of warrants (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, but, subject to clause (a) of the last sentence of this definition, including any obligations in respect of earn-outs and other contingent acquisition consideration), (d) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP (“Capital Lease Obligations”) of such Person, (f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of Letters of Credit, acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (g) all guarantees of such Person of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (f) above, (h) all Indebtedness of a third party described in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by any Lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of any such Indebtedness under this clause (h) shall be deemed to be the lesser of (A) the total amount of third party Indebtedness secured by such Lien and (B) the fair market value of the property subject to such Lien, (i) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests, and (j) the hedge termination value owed by of such Person under any Hedging Agreements. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include (a) obligations of such Person in respect of earn-outs, other contingent acquisition consideration, and warrants until such obligations become liabilities on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (except to the extent such obligations that are liabilities on the balance sheet of such Person are payable solely in Equity Interests) and (b) Indebtedness pursuant to earn-outs and other contingent acquisition consideration, in each case, that are not past due, and (c) Indebtedness (including as a result of any lease that would have been treated as an operating lease for purposes of GAAP as in effect on December 14, 2018), arising as a result of any changes in GAAP which would classify any operating leases so characterized in accordance 22


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with GAAP (as GAAP is in effect as of December 15, 2018) as Capital Lease Obligations (or the equivalent) required to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower in accordance with GAAP. “Indemnified Taxes” shall means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes. “Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.5(a). “Information Certificate” shall mean the Information Certificate and the responses thereto provided by the Loan Parties and delivered to Agent. “Intellectual Property” shall mean rights in property constituting under any Applicable Law a patent, patent application, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade name, mask work, or trade secret. “Intellectual Property Agreements” shall mean any intellectual property security agreement entered into between a Loan Party and Agent pursuant to the terms hereof in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, together with each other intellectual property security agreement and supplement thereto. “Interest Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to the last day of any fiscal period, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such fiscal period to Consolidated Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such fiscal period. “Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, as to any Person, as determined in accordance with GAAP, the total interest expense of such Person (including the interest component of Capital Leases for such period and capitalized interest for such period), whether paid or accrued during such period but without duplication, excluding interest paid in property other than cash. “Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Domestic Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Termination Date and (b) as to any SOFR Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period, and the Termination Date. “Interest Period” means, as to any Advance, the period commencing on the date of such Advance and ending on the last day of such period as selected by Borrower pursuant to the provisions below (in each case, subject to the availability thereof), as specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date and (iv) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 3.8 shall be available for specification in such Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion. For purposes hereof, the date of an Advance initially shall be the date on which such Advance is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most 23


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24 SECURED NET LEVERAGE RATIO LETTER OF CREDIT FEE PERCENTAGE recent conversion or continuation of such Advance. The duration of each Interest Period for any SOFR Loan shall be for a number of months selected by Borrower upon notice as set forth in Section 2.2(b). “Inventory” shall mean and include all of each Loan Party’s now owned or hereafter acquired goods, merchandise and other personal property, wherever located, to be furnished under any consignment arrangement, contract of service or held for sale or lease, all raw materials, work in process, finished goods and materials and supplies of any kind, nature or description which are or might be used or consumed in such Loan Party’s business or used in selling or furnishing such goods, merchandise and other personal property, all other inventory of each Loan Party, and all documents of title or other documents representing them. “Investment” is any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including any Equity Interests), and any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person. “Investment Property” as defined in the UCC and shall include all of each Loan Party’s now owned or hereafter acquired securities (whether certificated or uncertificated), securities entitlements, securities accounts, commodities contracts, commodities accounts, stocks, mutual fund shares, money market shares and U.S. Government securities. “Issuer” shall mean any Person who issues a Letter of Credit and/or accepts a draft pursuant to the terms thereof (it being agreed that so long as HSBC shall be Agent or a Lender, then the Issuer shall be HSBC); provided, however, that in the event that HSBC is neither Agent nor a Lender, the “Issuer” with respect to all subsequently issued Letters of Credit shall be a Lender selected by Borrower and that agrees to be an Issuer hereunder. “Joint Bookrunners” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble. “Joint Lead Arrangers” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble. “Junior Lien Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Loan Parties that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is contractually junior to the Liens securing the Obligations to the written satisfaction of Agent and the Required Lenders. “Lender” and “Lenders” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include each Person which becomes a transferee, successor or assign of any Lender. “Lender-Provided Hedge” shall mean a Hedging Agreement or foreign exchange transaction which is provided by any Lender or any direct or indirect Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Lender (or any Person that was a Lender or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Lender at the time of entering into such Hedging Agreement), which is entered into for hedging (rather than speculative) purposes. “Letter of Credit and Guarantee Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2. “Letter of Credit Application” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10. “Letter of Credit Fee Percentage” shall mean, as of the most recent Adjustment Date, the applicable percent per annum set forth in the pricing table set forth below corresponding to the Secured Net Leverage Ratio for the Calculation Period:


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25 Greater than or equal to 0.75:1.00 but less than 1.50:1.00 1.75% Greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00 but less than 2.25:1.00 Less than 0.75:1.00 2.00% 1.50% Greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00 2.25% provided that for the period from the Closing Date through and including the first Adjustment Date following the Closing Date, the Letter of Credit Fee Percentage shall be 1.50%. “Letter of Credit Reserve” shall mean the sum of (a) the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus (b) other than for purposes of calculating the Letter of Credit Reserve pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(2), all unpaid interest, fees and expenses related thereto. “Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9. “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien (whether statutory or otherwise), charge, claim or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement held or asserted in respect of any asset of any kind or nature whatsoever including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement under the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction. “Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of domestic unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and of Borrower and (b) the Available Amount. “Loan Documents” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Information Certificate, the Fee Letter, the Intellectual Property Agreements, the Stock Pledge Agreement, and any and all other agreements, instruments and documents, including, without limitation, guaranties, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, and all other writings heretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party or any Person (as authorized by a Loan Party) or by any Person who becomes a Guarantor of the Obligations and/or delivered to Agent or any Lender in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. “Loan Party” shall mean, individually, Borrower and each Guarantor, and “Loan Parties” shall mean, collectively, Borrower and the Guarantors. “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, or financial condition of Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) any ability of the Loan Parties to pay the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof, (c) Agent’s Lien on the Collateral or the priority of such Lien, or (d) the practical realization of the benefits of Agent’s and each Lender’s rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent). “Material Contract” shall mean any contract or other agreement, written or oral, of any Loan Party involving monetary liability of or to any Person in an amount in excess of $10,000,000 in any fiscal


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year, other than purchase orders issued by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of its business, and any other contract or other agreement, whether written or oral, to which any Loan Party is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew by any party thereto would have a Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no contract that gives rise to any Indebtedness of any Loan Party shall constitute a Material Contract for the purposes of this Agreement. “Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount of $10,000,000 or more in the aggregate (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars). For purposes of determining the amount of Material Indebtedness at any time, (a) undrawn committed amounts and (b) all amounts owing to all creditors under any syndicated credit arrangement shall be included. “Maximum Revolving Advance Amount” shall mean $150,000,000, as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including in connection with assignments permitted hereunder and including pursuant to Section 2.4). “Maximum Swingline Loan Amount” shall mean $10,000,000. “Maximum Undrawn Amount” shall mean with respect to any outstanding Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit that is or may become available to be drawn, including all automatic increases provided for in such Letter of Credit, whether or not any such automatic increase has become effective. “Minimum Liquidity” means, at any time during the Minimum Liquidity Period, an amount of Liquidity equal to at least the sum of (1) the then outstanding principal amount of the 2025 Convertible Notes plus (2) $75,000,000. “Minimum Liquidity Period” means the 91-day period prior to the 2025 Convertible Notes Termination Date. “Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. “Multiple Employer Plan” shall mean a Plan that has two or more contributing sponsors (including any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA. “Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to the sale or disposition of any asset by a Person or a Casualty Event, the sum of cash and Cash Equivalent received by such Person in connection with such sale, disposition, or Casualty Event less (i) the reasonable fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Person in connection with such sale or disposition, less (ii) all taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable in connection with such sale or disposition to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction, less (iii) any reserve for adjustment in respect of (x) the sale price of the property that is the subject of such sale or disposition established in accordance with GAAP and (y) any liabilities associated with such property or asset and retained by such Person after such sale or disposition, to the extent that in each case the funds described above in this clause (iii) are (x) deposited into escrow with a third party escrow agent and (y) paid to Agent as a prepayment of the applicable Obligations in accordance with Section 2.14 of this Agreement at such time when such 26


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amounts are no longer required to be set aside as such a reserve, less (iv) any amounts used to repay or return any customer deposits required to be repaid or returned as a result of sale or disposition. “Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 15.2 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders. “Non-Defaulting Lenders” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(b). “Non-Guarantor Acquisition” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Permitted Acquisition”. “Note” or “Notes” shall mean, individually or collectively, the Revolving Credit Note and the Swingline Note. “Notice of Borrowing” shall mean a notice of borrowing provided by Borrower to Agent in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E. “Notice of Conversion” shall mean a notice of conversion provided by Borrower to Agent in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F. “Obligations” shall mean and include any and all of each Loan Party’s Indebtedness and/or liabilities under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any Lender-Provided Hedge or with respect to any Bank Product Obligation, to Agent, Lenders, the Issuer or any Affiliate of Agent, any Lender or the Issuer, of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, secured or unsecured, joint, several, joint and several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, regardless of how such indebtedness or liabilities arise or by what agreement or instrument they may be evidenced or whether evidenced by any agreement or instrument (including all interest, fees and other amounts accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding whether or not enforceable in such proceeding) including all interest, expenses, fees, attorney’s fees or other amounts chargeable to any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or under any Loan Document and including all obligations of any Loan Party to Agent, Lenders or the Issuer to perform acts or refrain from taking any action; provided that the Obligations of any Guarantor shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations. “Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Advance or this Agreement or any other Loan Document). “Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing, mortgage or mortgage recording Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment. 27


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“Participant” shall mean each financial institution who shall be granted the right by any Lender to participate in any of the Advances and who shall have entered into a participation agreement in form and substance satisfactory to such Lender. “Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 15.3(b). “Payment Office” shall mean initially 452 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10018; thereafter, such other office of Agent, if any, which it may designate by notice to the Loan Parties and to each Lender to be the Payment Office. “Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.11(a). “PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor. “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”. “Perfection Exceptions” means that no Loan Party shall be required (and Agent shall not be authorized) to (i) enter into control agreements with respect to, or otherwise perfect any Lien by “control” (or similar arrangements) over any asset (other than certificated securities and instruments), including commodities accounts, securities accounts, deposit accounts, futures accounts, other bank accounts, cash and Cash Equivalents and accounts related to the clearing, payment processing and similar operations of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) perfect the security interest in the following (in each case, other than by the filing of a general UCC financing statement): (1) letter-of-credit rights (as defined in the UCC), (2) commercial tort claims (as defined in the UCC), (3) Fixtures (as defined in the UCC), except to the extent that the same are Equipment (as defined in the UCC) or are related to Real Property covered or intended by the Loan Documents to be covered by a mortgage and (4) all contracts and agreements between any Loan Party and one or more additional parties, (iii) send notices to account debtors or other contractual third-parties unless an Event of Default has not been cured or waived and is continuing and the Agent has exercised its rights pursuant to Article XI of this Agreement, (iv) enter into any security documents to be governed by the law of, or make any filing in, any jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (v) deliver landlord waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters or (vi) deliver any stock certificates or stock powers (or equivalent) with respect to the Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries. “Pension Benefit Plan” shall mean at any time any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan, but not a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained by any member of the Controlled Group; or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained by any entity which was at such time a member of the Controlled Group. “Permitted Acquisition” shall mean any acquisition by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or a business or division of such Person (whether pursuant to a merger or other transaction) or of all or a majority of the equity of a Person in one or a series of transactions that occurs; provided that: (a) before and after giving effect to such acquisition, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; (b) immediately before and after giving effect to such acquisition, on a pro forma basis, (i) as of the most recently ended test period for which financial statements shall have been 28


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delivered, (calculated as if such acquisition had been made on the first day of the relevant testing period) neither of the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio exceed an amount that is 0.25:1.00 below the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio required at such time under Section 6.8, and (ii) Liquidity is not less than $75,000,000; (c) the Person or assets being acquired is in the same type of business conducted by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or any other businesses reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension thereof; (d) such acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the Board of Directors or other governing body of the Person whose equity or assets are proposed to be acquired to the extent required by the governing documents of the Person whose equity or assets are proposed to be acquired or by applicable law. (e) Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary complies with the requirements of Section 7.11(a); (f) Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not make Permitted Acquisitions of Persons that do not become Guarantors or by purchase of assets that are acquired directly by Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors (each a “Non-Guarantor Acquisition”) for aggregate consideration, together with any Investments made (in each case determined as of the date of making any such Investment), in excess of the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 25.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered in the aggregate outstanding at any time; and (g) if the total consideration, including the purchase price and total liabilities assumed, of any such acquisition shall equal or exceed $75,000,000, not later than five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed acquisition, Borrower has provided Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer of Borrower certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this definition have been satisfied or will be satisfied on or prior to the consummation of such purchase or acquisition. “Permitted Convertible Indebtedness” means senior, unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower that is (x) issued pursuant to and in accordance with that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2023, by and between the Borrower and Barclays Capital Inc. evidencing the First Amendment Convertible Notes issued on or after the First Amendment Effective Date that are not comprised of Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness issued as a replacement to all or a portion of the Existing Convertible Notes, (y) convertible into shares of common stock of the Borrower (or other securities or property following a merger event, reclassification or other change of the common stock of the Borrower), cash or a combination thereof (such amount of cash determined by reference to the price of the Borrower’s common stock or such other securities or property), and cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock of the Borrower and (z) permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 7.7. “Permitted Dispositions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b). “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean: (a) Liens granted to or in favor of Agent for the benefit of Agent, Lenders and/or the Issuer, which, in each case, secure Obligations; 29


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(b) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges (1) not delinquent or (2) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which proper reserves have been taken by the applicable Loan Party; provided that no notice of any such Lien has been filed or recorded under the Code and the Treasury Regulations adopted thereunder or any other Applicable Law; (c) deposits or pledges to secure obligations under worker’s compensation, social security or similar laws, or under unemployment insurance; (d) deposits or pledges to secure bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases, statutory obligations, surety, appeal bonds, customs bonds and other obligations of like nature arising in the ordinary course of such Loan Party’s business; (e) judgment Liens that have been stayed or bonded or otherwise would not result in an Event of Default and mechanics’, workers’, materialmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of such Loan Party’s business with respect to obligations which are not due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (f) Liens for purchase money obligations and Capital Leases, provided that (i) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien is permitted under Section 7.7, and (ii) such Lien encumbers only the asset so purchased; (g) leases or subleases of Real Property granted in the ordinary course of any Loan Party’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), and leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of personal property granted in the ordinary course of any Loan Party’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), if the leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit granting Agent a security interest therein; (h) non-exclusive license of Intellectual Property granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business, and licenses of Intellectual Property that could not result in a legal transfer of title of the licensed property that may be exclusive in respects other than territory and that may be exclusive as to territory only as to discrete geographical areas outside of the United States; (i) Liens that are replacements of Permitted Encumbrances to the extent that the original Indebtedness is the subject of Permitted Indebtedness and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness; (j) rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business; (k) Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness; (l) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods; (m) Liens existing on the Closing Date and disclosed on Schedule 7.2; 30


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(n) other Liens securing Permitted Indebtedness as to which the aggregate outstanding amount of the obligations secured thereby at any time does not exceed the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently-ended test period; (o) survey exceptions, encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, governmental or regulatory licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph and telephone and cable television lines, gas and oil pipelines and other similar purposes, reservations of rights, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of Real Properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person; (p) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of Borrower or a Guarantor owing to Borrower or another Guarantor permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 7.7; (q) Liens arising from, or from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding, operating leases or consignments entered into by Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (r) deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers or under self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations; (s) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code, or any comparable or successor provision, on items in the course of collection; (ii) attaching to pooling, commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) in favor of banking or other financial institutions or entities, or electronic payment service providers, arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking or finance industry; (t) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other Persons not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness; (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (u) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Equity Interests of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement; (v) Liens on vehicles of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business; (w) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision or customary business provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set off or similar rights; (x) Liens on securities (other than Collateral) that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Cash Equivalents; 31


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(y) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; (z) restrictive covenants affecting the use to which Real Property may be put; provided that such covenants are complied with; (aa) security given to a public utility or any municipality or Governmental Body when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business; (bb) zoning by-laws and other activity and land use restrictions, including, without limitation, site plan agreements, development agreements, contract zoning agreements and limitations imposed under Environmental Law to secure remedial obligations; and (cc) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of any Special Purpose Subsidiary (including any precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed in connection with any Indebtedness permitted by clause (q) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”); provided that any such Liens are non-recourse to Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that no Real Property having a fair market value equal to or greater than $25,000,000 shall be subject to any Permitted Encumbrances except those referenced in clauses (b), (e), (f), (g), (o), (z), (aa) and (bb) above. “Permitted Indebtedness” shall mean: (a) the Obligations; (b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and shown on Schedule 7.7; (c) unsecured Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business; (d) Indebtedness of (i) any Loan Party to any other Loan Party, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party) to any other Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party), (iii) any Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party) to any Loan Party; and (iv) any Loan Party to any Subsidiary (which is not a Guarantor); provided that (A) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness under this clause (iv) does not exceed the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 1.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period, and (B) all Indebtedness under this clause (iv) is subordinated to the Obligations of such Loan Party under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (e) Indebtedness incurred as a result of endorsing negotiable instruments received in the ordinary course of business; (f) Indebtedness secured by purchase money Liens and Capital Lease Obligations (in each case incurred prior to or within 365 days of the acquisition or lease or completion of construction, repair or replacement of, or improvement to or installation of, assets) not exceeding the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently-ended test period, in the aggregate outstanding at any time; 32


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(g) Indebtedness under the Existing Convertible Notes; (h) solely to the extent they constitute Indebtedness, bank guarantees or similar instruments issued or created, or related to obligations or liabilities incurred, in the ordinary course of business, to which (i) any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and (ii) any Lender or any of its Affiliates are a party; (i) solely to the extent they constitute Indebtedness, customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business; (j) Indebtedness in respect of appeal, bid, performance or surety or similar bonds, workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations and bankers acceptances issued for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, each incurred in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety bonds, workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations and bankers acceptances (in each case other than for an obligation for borrowed money); (k) Indebtedness incurred by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, (i) letters of credit or performance or surety bonds in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (whether current or former) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (whether current or former) or property, casualty or liability insurance and (ii) guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by customers in connection with the purchase or other acquisition of equipment or supplies in the ordinary course of business; (l) unsecured Indebtedness consisting of interest to the extent paid-in-kind (and not in cash or Cash Equivalents) on intercompany Indebtedness; (m) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, commercial cards (including so called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p cards”), or cash management services; (n) guarantees permitted by Section 7.3; (o) Indebtedness arising from netting services, overdraft protection or the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business (p) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower incurred by any such Foreign Subsidiary to provide for its working capital needs in an amount not exceeding the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period, in the aggregate outstanding at any time; (q) Permitted Receivables Indebtedness; (r) Indebtedness incurred by Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of leases entered into by Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; 33


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(s) Indebtedness of non-Loan Party Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness owing to any Loan Party) not exceeding the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period, in the aggregate outstanding at any time; and (t) Indebtedness of Borrower or Restricted Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted by Section 7.7 not exceeding the greater of (i) $40,000,000 and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period, in the aggregate outstanding at any time; (u) any (1) refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions of any items of Permitted Indebtedness referenced in clauses (a) through (f) and clauses (h) through (t) above or clause (v) below, provided that (x) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid interest and premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, as a result of or in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and (y) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms (other than, in the case of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, the applicable settlement method for conversion of such Indebtedness) taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are not materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended. or (2) refinancings of Indebtedness under the Existing Convertible Notes referenced in clause (g) above so long as such refinancing complies with the terms of Section 7.15; and (v) Permitted Convertible Indebtedness in aggregate principal amount not exceeding $30,000,000. “Permitted Investments” shall mean: (a) Investments (including, without limitation, Subsidiaries) existing on the Closing Date and shown on Schedule 7.4; (b) Investments consisting of cash and Cash Equivalents; (c) Investments consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; (d) Investments consisting of deposit accounts in which Agent has a perfected security interest; (e) Investments accepted in connection with transfers permitted by Section 7.1(b); (f) [reserved]; (g) Investments (i) consisting of travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year and (ii) loans to employees, officers or directors in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding relating to the purchase of Equity Interests of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to stock option and other compensation plans and 34


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benefit programs or agreements approved by such Person’s board of directors (or equivalent governing body); (h) Investments (including debt obligations, Equity Interests or other securities) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; (i) Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business; provided that this paragraph (i) shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary; (j) Lender-Provided Hedges; (k) Permitted Acquisitions; (l) any Investment in (i) any Loan Party by any other Loan Party, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party) by any other Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party), (iii) any Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party) by any Loan Party; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments under this clause (iii) does not exceed the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 1.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period at any one time outstanding, and (iv) any Loan Party by any Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Loan Party); (m) guarantees permitted by Section 7.3; and (n) other Investments not otherwise permitted by Section 7.4, so long as (i) no Event of Default shall exist or would result immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (ii) as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Investment had been made on the first day of the relevant testing period, neither of the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio exceed an amount that is 0.25:1.00 below the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio required at such time under Section 6.8, and (iii) Liquidity is not less than $75,000,000 before and after giving effect to any such Investments. “Permitted Receivables Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries arising pursuant to (a) that certain Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified or supplemented and in effect from time to time), by and between Veeco Process, as the seller, and HSBC, as the purchaser, and (b) any other receivables facility or financing (including, without limitation, any factoring financing transaction) that are non-recourse to Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary and otherwise contain customary market terms (as reasonably determined by Borrower in good faith); provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended test period at any time. “Person” shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, institution, public benefit corporation, joint venture, entity or Governmental Body (whether Federal, state, county, city, municipal or otherwise, including any instrumentality, division, agency, body or department thereof). 35


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“Plan” shall mean any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained for employees of any Loan Party or any such Plan to which any Loan Party is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees. “Pledged Collateral” shall mean the collective reference to the following: all of such Loan Party’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a)(i) the shares of capital stock and other Equity Interests owned by such Loan Party, including those listed opposite the name of such Loan Party in the Information Certificate; (ii) any other Equity Interests obtained in the future by such Loan Party and (iii) the certificates and other instruments (if any) representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “Pledged Equity Interests”); provided that the Pledged Equity Interests shall not include any Excluded Property, (b)(i) the debt securities owned by such Loan Party, including those listed opposite the name of such Loan Party in the Information Certificate, (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to or otherwise acquired by such Loan Party and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments evidencing all such debt securities (collectively, the “Pledged Debt Securities”); provided that the Pledged Debt Securities shall not include any Excluded Property; (c) all other property that may be delivered to and held by the Agent pursuant to the terms of Section 4.2; (d) all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other Proceeds received in respect of, the Pledged Equity Interests and Pledged Debt Securities; (e) all rights and privileges of such Loan Party with respect to the securities, instruments and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above; and (f) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing; provided that, in each case, the Pledged Collateral shall not include any Excluded Property. “Pledged Debt Securities” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Pledged Collateral”. “Pledged Equity Interests” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Pledged Collateral”. “Provision for Taxes” shall mean an amount equal to all Taxes imposed on or measured by net income, whether federal, state, provincial, county or local, and whether foreign or domestic, that are paid or payable by any Person in respect of any period in accordance with GAAP. “PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time. “Purchasing Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.3(c). “QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 5390(c)(8)(D). “QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.20 of this Agreement. “Qualified ECP Loan Party” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, (a) each of Borrower and any Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time such Swap Obligation is incurred, or (b) such other Person as is qualified to give a “letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement” for purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. “RCRA” shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., as same may be amended from time to time. “Real Property” shall mean all of each Loan Party’s right, title and interest in and to its owned and leased premises. 36


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“Receivables” shall mean and include as to each Loan Party, all of such Loan Party’s accounts (including, without limitation, all health-care insurance receivables), contract rights, instruments (including promissory notes and other instruments evidencing Indebtedness owed to such Loan Party by their Affiliates), documents, chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), general intangibles relating to accounts, drafts and acceptances, and all other forms of obligations owing to such Loan Party arising out of or in connection with the sale, lease or other disposition of Inventory or the rendition of services, all guarantees and other security therefor, whether secured or unsecured, now existing or hereafter created, and whether or not specifically sold or assigned to Agent hereunder. “Recipient” means (a) Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) the Issuer, as applicable. “Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.15. “Register” has the meaning specified in Section 15.3(d). “Reinvestment” shall mean the acquisition of assets or other investment in the relevant Person’s business with an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds of any sale or other disposition of any other assets (other than Inventory in the ordinary course of business) or Casualty Event. “Reinvest” and “Reinvested” shall have correlative meanings. “Reinvestment Deferred Amount” shall mean with respect to any Reinvestment Event, an amount equal to the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by any Loan Party in connection therewith that are not applied to prepay the Advances or other amounts pursuant to Section 2.14(a) as a result of the delivery of a Reinvestment Notice. “Reinvestment Event” shall mean any sale or other disposition of assets (other than Inventory in the ordinary course of business) in respect of which Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice to Agent. “Reinvestment Notice” shall mean a written notice executed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower stating that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that the Loan Parties (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary) reasonably intend and expect to Reinvest all or a specified portion of an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds of a sale or other disposition of assets (other than Inventory in the ordinary course of business), in each case, within 365 days of such sale or disposition (or, if within such 365-day period, the Loan Parties enter into a binding commitment to so Reinvest, and does so Reinvest, such Net Cash Proceeds, within 180 days following such 365-day period during which Borrower so committed to such plan of Reinvestment). “Reinvestment Prepayment Amount” shall mean, with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto less any amount actually Reinvested prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment Date. “Reinvestment Prepayment Date” shall mean with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) 365 days after such sale or disposition (or, if within such 365-day period, the Loan Parties enter into a binding commitment to so Reinvest, and does so Reinvest, such Net Cash Proceeds, within 180 days following such 365-day period during which Borrower so committed to such plan of Reinvestment) and (b) the date on which Borrower shall have determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, make Reinvestments with all or any portion of the relevant Reinvestment Deferred Amount. 37


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“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates. “Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto. “Report” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.7. “Reportable Event” shall mean a reportable event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived. “Required Lenders” shall mean Lenders holding a majority of the Commitment Percentages; provided however, if there are fewer than three (3) Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean all Lenders. “Resignation Effective Date” shall mean, collectively, the promissory notes referred to in Section 14.3(c). “Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority. “Restricted Payment” shall mean (i) to declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution on any shares of the common stock, preferred stock or other Equity Interests of any Loan Party (other than dividends or distributions payable in its stock or other Equity Interests or split-ups or reclassifications of its stock or other equity interests) or for any Loan Party to apply any of its funds, property or assets to the purchase, redemption or other retirement of any common or preferred stock or other Equity Interests, or of any options to purchase or acquire any such shares of common or preferred stock or other Equity Interests of any Loan Party, (ii) to repay or prepay any Junior Lien Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, or repurchase, redeem or retire Junior Lien Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness of any Loan Party, or (iii) any payment by any Loan Party of any management, consulting or similar fees to or any Affiliate, whether pursuant to a management agreement or otherwise.; provided that payments (whether in cash or in kind) or deliveries in respect of the First Amendment Convertible Notes (including, without limitation, interest payments and payments and/or deliveries due upon conversion, settlement or redemption thereof) shall not constitute Restricted Payments. “Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean each Subsidiary of Borrower other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries. “Revolving Advances” shall mean Advances made other than Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit, and including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Revolving Advances made pursuant to Section 2.4. “Revolving Commitment” shall mean, as to any Lender, its obligation to make Revolving Advances in an aggregate amount not to exceed its Revolving Commitment Percentage. “Revolving Commitment Percentage” of any Lender shall mean the percentage set forth below such Lender’s under the applicable heading on Schedule 1.1 to this Agreement under the heading “Revolving Commitment Percentage” as same may be adjusted upon any assignment by a Lender pursuant to Section 15.3. 38


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“Revolving Credit Note” shall mean, collectively, the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.1(a). “Revolving Interest Rate” shall mean an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, with respect to Domestic Rate Loans, and (b) the sum of Adjusted Term SOFR plus the Applicable Margin, with respect to SOFR Loans. “Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a jurisdiction subject to Sanctions, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), or (d) any Person that is otherwise the subject of any Sanctions. “Sanctions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.23. “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto. “Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to the last day of any fiscal period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date, minus (i) up to $85,000,000 of unrestricted domestic cash and Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties as of such date and (ii) the principal amount of unsecured Indebtedness of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such fiscal period. “Settlement Date” shall mean the Closing Date and thereafter Tuesday of each week, unless such day is not a Business Day in which case it shall be the next succeeding Business Day, and every other Business Day designated by Agent as a “Settlement Date” by notice from Agent to each Lender. Agent shall be obligated to designate a Settlement Date in the event that Borrower requests Revolving Advances in excess of the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount. “SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator. “SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate). “SOFR Borrowing” means, as to any borrowing of Revolving Advances, the SOFR Loans comprising such borrowing of Revolving Advances. “SOFR Loan” means a Revolving Advance that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Term SOFR, other than pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”. “Special Purpose Subsidiary” shall mean (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Borrower established in connection with the incurrence of Permitted Receivables Indebtedness (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Veeco Process) and which is organized in a manner (as determined by Borrower in good faith) intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with any of Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Subsidiaries) in the event Borrower or any such Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under the Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (or other insolvency law) and (ii) any subsidiary of a Special Purpose Subsidiary. 39


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“Springing Maturity Date” means the date that is the earlier of (x) the date that is 91 days prior to the 2025 Convertible Notes Maturity Date if Borrower is not in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 hereof (assuming repayment of the 2025 Convertible Notes has been made on the first day of such period) as of the most recently ended test period for which financial statements have been delivered prior to such date and (y) during the Minimum Liquidity Period, the first date that Borrower does not maintain Minimum Liquidity or Borrower is not in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 hereof (assuming repayment of the 2025 Convertible Notes has been made on the first day of such period) as of the most recently ended test period for which financial statements have been delivered. “Standby Letters of Credit” shall mean all Letters of Credit issued in connection with this Agreement as a credit enhancement for certain Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) of Borrower. “Stock Pledge Agreement” shall mean a Stock Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, pursuant to which each Loan Party pledges to Agent as Collateral for the Obligations the issued and outstanding shares of Subsidiary Stock. “Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to Borrower, any Indebtedness of Borrower which is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to its guarantee of the Obligations, in each case to the written satisfaction of Agent and the Required Lenders. “Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, a corporation or other entity of whose Equity Interests having ordinary voting power (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the directors or managers of such corporation or other entity, or other Persons performing similar functions for such entity, are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. “Subsidiary Stock” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Subsidiary owned by any Loan Party. “Supported QFC” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.20 of this Agreement. “Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any of Borrower or any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act. “Swingline Lender” means HSBC, or if HSBC shall resign as Swingline Lender, another Lender selected by Agent or the successor Agent and reasonably acceptable to Required Lenders and Borrower. “Swingline Loan” means each Advance made by Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.1(c). “Swingline Note” shall mean the promissory note referred to in Section 2.1(c). “Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Body, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto. 40


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41 0.10% Interest Period Three months Percentage 0.15% “Term” shall mean the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the Termination Date. “Term SOFR” means: (a) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and (b) for any calculation with respect to a Domestic Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day; provided, further, that if Term SOFR determined as provided above (including pursuant to the proviso under clause (a) or (b) above) shall ever be less than the Floor, then Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor. As of the Closing Date, the Floor shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. “Term SOFR Adjustment” means, for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, a percentage per annum as set forth below for the applicable Interest Period therefor: Six months 0.25% One month “Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by Agent in its reasonable discretion). “Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.


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“Termination Date” means the date that is the earliest of (a) December 16, 2026, (b) the Springing Maturity Date, (c) the acceleration of all Obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (dc) the date on which this Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof or by operation of law. “Termination Event” shall mean (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group from a Pension Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (iii) the providing of notice of intent to terminate a Pension Benefit Plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (v) any event or condition (a) which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or (b) that may reasonably be expected to result in termination of a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 4041A of ERISA; or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, of any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan. “Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to the last day of any fiscal period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date, minus up to $85,000,000 of unrestricted domestic cash, Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties as of such date, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such fiscal period. “Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities. “U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.20 of this Agreement. “UCC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3. “UK Bribery Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.23. “UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms. “UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution. 42


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“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment. “United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America. “Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (i) on the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of Borrower listed on Schedule 1.3 and (ii) any other Subsidiary of Borrower designated by the board of directors of Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.10 subsequent to the Closing Date, in each case, except to the extent redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with such Section 6.10. “USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be renewed, extended, amended or replaced from time to time. “USCO” shall mean the U.S. Copyright Office. “USPTO” shall mean the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. “Veeco Process” shall mean Veeco Process Equipment Inc., a Delaware corporation. “Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness. “Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and Agent. “Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers. 1.3. UCC Terms. All terms used herein and defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York from time to time (the “UCC”) shall have the meaning given therein unless otherwise defined herein. Without limiting the foregoing, the terms “accounts”, “chattel paper”, “commercial tort claims”, “instruments”, “general intangibles”, “goods”, “payment intangibles”, “supporting obligations”, “securities”, “documents”, “deposit accounts”, “securities accounts”, “proceeds”, “software”, “letter of credit”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “inventory”, “equipment” and “fixtures”, as and when used in the description of Collateral shall have the meanings given to such terms in Articles 8 or 9 of the UCC. To the extent the definition of any category or type of collateral is expanded by any amendment, 43


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modification or revision to the UCC, such expanded definition will apply automatically as of the date of such amendment, modification or revision. 1.4. Certain Matters of Construction. The terms “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision. Each reference to a Section, an Exhibit or a Schedule shall be deemed to refer to a Section, an Exhibit or a Schedule, as applicable, of this Agreement, as modified or supplemented with the consent of Agent in its sole discretion unless otherwise specified. Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover all genders. Wherever appropriate in the context, terms used herein in the singular also include the plural and vice versa. All references to statutes (including the UCC) and related regulations shall include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations. Unless otherwise provided, all references to any instruments or agreements to which Agent is a party, including, without limitation, references to any of the Loan Documents, shall include any and all modifications or amendments thereto and any and all extensions or renewals thereof. For purposes of Sections 3.1, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10(a), and Articles V, VIII, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and XV, the term “Lender” shall include each Lender and Swingline Lender. All references herein to the time of day shall mean the time in New York, New York. A Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to exist at all times during the period commencing on the date that such Default or Event of Default occurs to the date on which such Default or Event of Default is waived in writing pursuant to this Agreement or, in the case of a Default, is cured within any period of cure expressly provided for in this Agreement; and an Event of Default shall “continue” or be “continuing” until such Event of Default has been waived in writing by the Required Lenders. Any Lien referred to in this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents as having been created in favor of Agent, any agreement entered into by Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, any payment made by or to or funds received by Agent pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or any act taken or omitted to be taken by Agent, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided, be created, entered into, made or received, or taken or omitted, for the benefit or account of Agent and Lenders. Wherever the phrase “to the best of any Loan Party’s knowledge” or words of similar import relating to the knowledge or the awareness of any Loan Party are used in this Agreement or Loan Documents, such phrase shall mean and refer to (i) the actual knowledge of a senior officer of such Loan Party or (ii) the knowledge that a senior officer would have obtained if he had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of his duties, including the making of such reasonably specific inquiries as may be necessary of the employees or agents of such Loan Party and a good faith attempt to ascertain the existence or accuracy of the matter to which such phrase relates. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default if such action is taken or condition exists. In addition, all representations and warranties hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular representation or warranty proves to be incorrect or is breached, the fact that another representation or warranty concerning the same or similar subject matter is correct or is not breached will not affect the incorrectness of a breach of a representation or warranty hereunder. 1.5. Divisions. For all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to 44


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the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time. II. ADVANCES, PAYMENTS. 2.1. Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans. (a) Revolving Advances. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.1(b) and Article VIII), each Lender, severally and not jointly, will make Revolving Advances to Borrower during the Term in aggregate amounts outstanding at any time not to exceed such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount minus, in either case, the sum of (1) the outstanding amount of the Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans plus (2) the Letter of Credit Reserve. The Revolving Advances may be evidenced by one or more secured promissory notes (each, a “Revolving Credit Note”) executed by Borrower in favor of each Lender in the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Advances and shall be in substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. (b) [Reserved]. (c) Swingline Loans. (i)(i) Subject to the requirements of this clause (c), so long as the aggregate amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the amount of the requested Swingline Loan does not exceed the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount, Borrower may request that Swingline Lender make available to Borrower by transfer of immediately available funds a Swingline Loan. The Swingline Loans shall be advanced by Agent (subject to the requirements of Section 8.2 hereof) as Domestic Rate Loans and shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time outstanding the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount. In the event that on any Business Day, Borrower desires that all or any portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans should be reduced in whole or in part, Borrower shall promptly notify Agent to that effect and indicate the portion of the Swingline Loans to be reduced. Borrower hereby agrees that it shall notify Agent to reduce the outstanding Swingline Loans to $0 at least once every week and, in any event, at any time that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loan equals the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount. Swingline Lender shall notify Agent to reduce the outstanding Swingline Loans to $0 by conversion of such Swingline Loans to Revolving Advances as described in sub-clause (ii) of this Section 2.1(c), at least once each week if Borrower fails to do so. Agent agrees to promptly transmit to Lenders the information contained in each notice received by Agent from Borrower or Swingline Lender and shall concurrently notify Lenders of each Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the obligation to make a Revolving Advance to repay the Swingline Loan (or portion thereof). In no event shall the aggregate outstanding Advances exceed the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount. (ii) Each of the Lenders hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to fund to Agent for the benefit of Swingline Lender, in lawful money of the United States and in same day funds, not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Settlement Date, such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of a Revolving Advance (which Revolving Advance shall be a Domestic Rate Loan and shall be deemed to be requested by Borrower) in the principal amount of such portion of the Swingline Loans which is required to be paid to Swingline Lender under this Section 2.1(c) (regardless of whether the conditions precedent thereto set forth in Article VIII are then satisfied and whether or not Borrower has provided a Notice of Borrowing under Section 2.2 and whether or not any Default or Event of Default exists or all or any of the Advances have been accelerated, but subject to the other provisions of this 45


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Section 2.1(c)). The proceeds of any such Revolving Advance shall be immediately paid over to Agent for the benefit of Swingline Lender for application to the Swingline Loan. (iii) In the event that an Event of Default shall occur and either (i) such Event of Default is of the type described in Section 10.7 or 10.8 or (ii) no further Revolving Advances are being made under this Agreement, so long as any such Event of Default is continuing, then, each of the Lenders (other than Swingline Lender) shall be deemed to have irrevocably, unconditionally and immediately purchased a participation from Swingline Lender of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loan outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default. Each Lender shall effect such purchase by making available an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Swingline Loan on the date of such purchase in Dollars in immediately available funds to Agent for the benefit of Swingline Lender. In the event any Lender fails to make available to Swingline Lender when due the amount of such Lender’s participation in the Swingline Loan (as calculated above), Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate. Each such purchase by a Lender shall be made without recourse to Swingline Lender, without representation or warranty of any kind, and shall be effected and evidenced pursuant to documents reasonably acceptable to Swingline Lender. The Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by one or more promissory notes substantially in the form of Exhibit D. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 2.1(c) shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, shall be made under all circumstances and shall not be affected, reduced or impaired for any reason whatsoever. 2.2. Procedure for Borrowing. (a) Borrower may notify by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing to Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on a Business Day of Borrower’s request to incur, on that day, or in the alternative, on the immediately succeeding Business Day thereafter (as specified in the Notice of Borrowing), a Revolving Advance hereunder. Any amount required to be paid as interest hereunder, or as fees or other charges under this Agreement or any other agreement with Agent, any Lender and/or the Issuer, or with respect to any other Obligation, which shall become due, if not otherwise paid when due, shall be deemed a request for a Revolving Advance to be maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan as of the date such payment is due, in the amount required to pay in full such interest, fee, charge or Obligation under this Agreement, or any other agreement with Agent, any Lender and/or the Issuer and such request shall be irrevocable. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, in the event Borrower desires to obtain a SOFR Loan, Borrower shall deliver a Notice of Borrowing to Agent by no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the day which is three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the date such SOFR Loan is to be borrowed, specifying (i) the date of the proposed borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the type of borrowing and the amount on the date of such Revolving Advance to be borrowed, which amount shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, and (iii) the duration of the first Interest Period therefor. Interest Periods for SOFR Loans consisting of Revolving Advances shall be for one, three or six months. No SOFR Loan shall be made available to Borrower during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default. After giving effect to each such borrowing, there shall not be outstanding more than six (6) SOFR Loans consisting of Revolving Advances, in the aggregate at any time. Agent shall provide Borrower with a quote of the actual interest rate available for the SOFR Loan requested by Borrower, which quote shall be given on the day after such SOFR Loan is requested and such quote shall be effective from the day provided by Agent until two (2) Business Days thereafter. 46


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(c) Subject to the definition of “Interest Period”, each Interest Period of a SOFR Loan shall commence on the date such SOFR Loan is made and shall end on such date as Borrower may elect as set forth in subsection (b)(iii) above. (d) Borrower shall elect the initial Interest Period applicable to a SOFR Loan by its Notice of Borrowing given to Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(b) or by its Notice of Conversion given to Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(e) as the case may be. Borrower shall elect the duration of each succeeding Interest Period by giving irrevocable written notice to Agent of such duration not less than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such SOFR Loan. If Agent does not receive timely notice of the Interest Period elected by Borrower, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert to a Domestic Rate Loan subject to Section 2.2(e). (e) Provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower may, on the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to any outstanding SOFR Loan, or on any Business Day with respect to Domestic Rate Loans, convert any such loan into a loan of another type in the same aggregate principal amount; provided that any conversion of a SOFR Loan shall be made only on the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such SOFR Loan. If Borrower desires to convert a loan, Borrower shall give Agent a Notice of Conversion by no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) (i) on the day which is three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the date on which such conversion is to occur with respect to a conversion from a Domestic Rate Loan to a SOFR Loan, or (ii) on the day which is one (1) U.S. Government Securities Business Day prior to the date on which such conversion is to occur with respect to a conversion from a SOFR Loan to a Domestic Rate Loan, specifying, in each case, the date of such conversion, the loans to be converted and if the conversion is from a Domestic Rate Loan to any other type of loan, the duration of the first Interest Period therefor. After giving effect to each request for a SOFR Loan, there shall not be outstanding more than six (6) SOFR Loans consisting of Revolving Advances, in the aggregate. (f) At its option and upon written notice given prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment, Borrower may prepay the SOFR Loans in whole at any time or in part from time to time, without premium or penalty (except amounts which may be owed pursuant to Section 15.5(b)), but with accrued interest on the principal being prepaid to the date of such repayment. Borrower shall specify the date of prepayment of Revolving Advances which are SOFR Loans and the amount of such prepayment. In the event that any prepayment of a SOFR Loan is required or permitted on a date other than the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, Borrower shall pay any amounts which may be owed pursuant to Section 15.5(b). (g) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if any Applicable Law, treaty, regulation or directive, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof, shall make it unlawful for any Lender (for purposes of this Section 2.2(g), the term “Lender” shall include any Lender and the office or branch where any Lender or any corporation or bank controlling such Lender makes or maintains any SOFR Loans) to make or maintain its SOFR Loans, the obligation of Lenders to make SOFR Loans hereunder shall forthwith be cancelled and Borrower shall, if any affected SOFR Loans are then outstanding, promptly upon request from Agent, either pay all such affected SOFR Loans or convert such affected SOFR Loans into Domestic Rate Loans. In the event that (i) any payment of a SOFR Loan is required, made or permitted on a date other than the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto (including upon demand by Agent or Lenders ), (ii) the conversion of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iii) the failure to convert, continue, borrow or prepay any SOFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, Borrower shall compensate the Lenders for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such 47


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event, including any loss, cost or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds. A certificate of the Lenders delivered to Borrower and setting forth any amount or amounts that the Lenders are entitled to receive pursuant to this paragraph shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay the Lenders the amount shown as due on any such certificate upon demand. 2.3. Disbursement of Advance Proceeds. All Advances shall be disbursed from whichever office or other place Agent may designate from time to time and, together with any and all other Obligations of Borrower to Agent or Lenders, shall be charged to Borrower’s Account on Agent’s books. During the Term, Borrower may use the Revolving Advances by borrowing, prepaying and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The proceeds of each Revolving Advance requested by Borrower or deemed to have been requested by Borrower under Section 2.2(a) shall, with respect to requested Revolving Advances to the extent Lenders make such Revolving Advances, be made available to Borrower by the close of business on the day so requested by Borrower by way of credit to Borrower’s operating account maintained with Agent or such other bank as Borrower may designate following notification to Agent, in immediately available federal funds or other immediately available funds or, with respect to Revolving Advances deemed to have been requested by Borrower, be disbursed to Agent to be applied to the outstanding Obligations giving rise to such deemed request. 2.4. Incremental Loans. (a) Revolving Loans. At any time during the Term, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would exist therefrom, and subject to the conditions set forth in clause (d) below, upon notice to the Agent, Borrower may, from time to time, request one or more increases (but not more than five (5) increases in the aggregate) to the Commitments (the “Incremental Revolving Commitment”); provided that, in no event shall the aggregate amount of Incremental Revolving Commitment exceed $75,000,000. Any Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be in the amount of at least $5,000,000 (or such lower amount that represents all remaining availability pursuant to this Section 2.4(a)) and integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lower amount that represents all remaining availability pursuant to this Section 2.4(a)). (b) Lender Election to Increase; Prospective Lenders. At the time of sending such request, Borrower (in consultation with the Agent) shall specify the time period (such period, the “Election Period”) within which each Lender is requested to respond (which Election Period shall in no event be less than ten (10) days from the date of delivery of such request to the Lenders), and the Agent shall promptly thereafter notify each Lender of Borrower’s request for such Incremental Revolving Commitment and the Election Period during which each Lender is requested to respond to such Borrower request; provided that, if such notice indicates that it is conditioned upon the occurrence of a specified event, such request may be revoked if such event does not occur prior to the requested funding date. No Lender shall be obligated to participate in any Incremental Revolving Commitment, and each such Lender’s determination to participate shall be in such Lender’s sole and absolute discretion. Any Lender not responding by the end of such Election Period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Commitment. To the extent Lenders (or their Affiliates) do not agree to provide an Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable, on terms acceptable to Borrower, Borrower may invite any prospective lender that satisfies the criteria of being an “Eligible Assignee” and is reasonably satisfactory to the Agent to become a Lender pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent in connection with the proposed Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable (provided that the joinder of any such “Lender” for the purpose of providing all or any portion of any such Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable, shall not require the consent of any other Lender 48


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(including any other “Lender” that is joining this Agreement to provide all or part of such Incremental Revolving Commitment)). (c) Effective Date and Allocations. If the Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section 2.4, the Agent and Borrower shall determine the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) and the final allocation of such Incremental Revolving Commitment. The Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and the Lenders of the final allocation of such Incremental Revolving Commitment and the Increase Effective Date. (d) Each of the following shall be the only conditions precedent to the making of an Incremental Revolving Commitment: (i) Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by an Authorized Officer of each such Loan Party certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such Incremental Revolving Commitment; (ii) Each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 8.2 shall be satisfied; (iii) The then applicable financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 hereof shall have been met, immediately after giving effect to the making of the Incremental Revolving Commitment on a pro forma basis (treating any Incremental Revolving Commitment as fully funded); (iv) Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate certifying as to compliance with the requirements of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, together with all reasonably detailed calculations evidencing compliance with clause (iii) above; (v) Borrower shall (x) deliver to any Lender providing an increase in the Commitments hereunder (or any new Lender providing such Commitment) any Notes requested by such Lender in connection with the making of such increased or new Commitment, and (y) have executed any amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be required by the Agent to effectuate the provisions of this Section 2.4, including, if applicable, any amendment that may be necessary to ensure and demonstrate that the Liens and security interests granted by the Loan Documents are perfected under the UCC or other applicable law to secure the Obligations in respect of the Incremental Revolving Commitment; (vi) Borrower shall prepay any Revolving Advances outstanding on the Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.2(f)) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Advances ratable with any revised Commitment Percentages resulting from any non-ratable increase in the Commitments undertaken pursuant to this Section 2.4. (e) Distribution of Revised Commitments Schedule. The Agent shall promptly distribute to the parties an amended Schedule 1.1 (which shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement), to reflect any such changes in the Commitments of the existing Lenders, or the addition of any new Lenders and their Commitment amounts, and the respective Commitment Percentages resulting therefrom. 49


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(f) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.13 or 15.2 to the contrary. (g) Treatment. The Incremental Revolving Commitments and any additional Revolving Advances made available pursuant to any such Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be treated on the same terms (including with respect to pricing and maturity date, but excluding any commitment, arrangement, upfront or similar fees, which shall be determined by Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Revolving Commitments) as, and made pursuant to the same documentation as is applicable to, the original Revolving Commitment and the original revolving facility, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from any guarantees and the security interests created by the Loan Documents and will be secured on a pari passu basis by the same Collateral. Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall take any actions reasonably required by the Agent to ensure and demonstrate that the Liens and security interests granted by the Loan Documents continue to be perfected under the UCC or otherwise after giving effect to the establishment of any such new Incremental Revolving Commitment and additional Revolving Advances. (h) Effect of Increase. Upon the increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount under this Section 2.4, all references in this Agreement and in any other Loan Document (i) to the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount of any Lender shall be deemed to include any increase in such Lender’s Revolving Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.4, and (ii) to the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount shall be deemed to include the increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount made pursuant to this Section 2.4. 2.5. Maximum Advances and Letters of Credit. The aggregate balance of Revolving Advances outstanding plus the Letter of Credit Reserve plus the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount. 2.6. Repayment of Advances. (a) The Revolving Advances shall be due and payable in full in cash on the Termination Date subject to earlier prepayment as herein provided. The Swingline Loans shall be due and payable in accordance with Section 2.1(c), subject to earlier prepayment as herein provided. (b) [Reserved]. (c) Borrower recognizes that the amounts evidenced by checks, notes, drafts or any other items of payment relating to and/or proceeds of Collateral may not be collectible by Agent on the date received. In consideration of Agent’s agreement to conditionally credit Borrower’s Account as of the Business Day on which Agent receives those items of payment in immediately available funds, Agent agrees that, in computing the charges under this Agreement, all items of payment shall be deemed applied by Agent on account of the Obligations on the Business Day (i) Agent receives such payments via wire transfer or electronic depository check or (ii) in the case of payments received by Agent in any other form, such payment constitutes good funds in Agent’s account. Agent is not, however, required to credit Borrower’s Account for the amount of any item of payment which is unsatisfactory to Agent and Agent may charge Borrower’s Account for the amount of any item of payment which is returned to Lender unpaid. All repayments of Revolving Advances shall be applied first, to any outstanding Swingline 50


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Loans, second, to any Revolving Advances maintained as Domestic Rate Loans, and third, to any SOFR Loans (subject to Section 2.2(f) hereof). (d) All payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable hereunder, or under any of the Loan Documents shall be made to Agent at the Payment Office not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the due date therefor in lawful money of the United States of America in federal funds or other funds immediately available to Agent. Agent shall have the right to effectuate payment on any and all Obligations due and owing hereunder by charging Borrower’s Account or by making Revolving Advances maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan as provided in Section 2.2 in the amount of all such Obligations due and owing. In the event Agent charges Borrower’s Account or makes any such Revolving Advances, the statement of account required to be delivered to Borrower under Section 2.8 shall reflect all such charges or Revolving Advances which occurred in the prior month. (e) Borrower shall pay principal, interest, and all other amounts payable hereunder, or under any related agreement, without any deduction whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any deduction for any setoff or counterclaim. 2.7. Repayment of Excess Revolving Advances. The aggregate balance of Revolving Advances outstanding at any time in excess of the maximum amount of Revolving Advances permitted hereunder shall be immediately due and payable without the necessity of any demand, at the Payment Office, whether or not a Default or Event of Default has occurred, together with any amounts which may be due under Section 15.5(b) if a SOFR Loan is required to be prepaid as a consequence of this section. 2.8. Statement of Account. Agent shall maintain, in accordance with its customary procedures, a loan account (the “Borrower’s Account”) in the name of Borrower in which shall be recorded the date and amount of each Advance made by Lenders and the date and amount of each payment in respect thereof; provided, however, the failure by Agent to record the date and amount of any Advance shall not adversely affect Agent or any Lender. Each month, Agent shall send to Borrower a statement showing the accounting for the Advances made, payments made or credited in respect thereof, and other transactions between Lenders and Borrower during such month. The monthly statements shall be deemed correct and binding upon Borrower in the absence of manifest error and shall constitute an account stated between Lenders and Borrower unless Agent receives a written statement of Borrower’s specific exceptions thereto within thirty (30) days after such statement is received by Borrower. The records of Agent with respect to Borrower’s Account shall be conclusive evidence absent manifest error of the amounts of Advances and other charges thereto and of payments applicable thereto. 2.9. Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Agent shall issue or cause the issuance of Standby Letters of Credit (collectively, “Letters of Credit”) by Issuer on behalf of Borrower provided, however, that Agent will not be required to issue or cause to be issued any Letters of Credit to the extent that the Maximum Undrawn Amount of such Letters of Credit would then cause the sum of (i) the outstanding Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans plus (ii) the Letter of Credit Reserve (after giving effect to such issuance or creation) to exceed the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount; and provided further, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Issuer shall have the right not to issue a Letter of Credit if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally. The Maximum Undrawn Amount of outstanding Letters of 51


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Credit shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any time. All disbursements or payments related to Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Domestic Rate Loans consisting of Revolving Advances and shall bear interest at the Revolving Interest Rate for Domestic Rate Loans; Letters of Credit that have not been drawn upon shall not bear interest. 2.10. Issuance of Letters of Credit. (a) Borrower may request Agent to issue or cause the issuance of a Letter of Credit by delivering to Agent at the Payment Office, Issuer’s standard form of letter of credit and security agreement and standard form of letter of credit application (collectively, the “Letter of Credit Application”) and any draft if applicable, completed to the satisfaction of Agent; and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as Agent or Issuer may reasonably request. Agent shall use its best efforts to cause all Letters of Credit requested by Borrower and approved by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to be issued no later than three (3) Business Days after the day so requested by Borrower. (b) Each Letter of Credit shall, among other things, (i) provide for the payment of sight drafts or acceptances of issuance drafts when presented for honor thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by the documents described therein and (ii) have an expiry date not later than twelve (12) months after such Letter of Credit’s date of issuance. With respect to clause (ii) above, in no event shall any Letters of Credit issued hereunder have an expiry date later than the Termination Date unless Borrower provides cash collateral equal to not less than one hundred five percent (105%) of the face amount thereof to be held by Agent pursuant to a cash collateral agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent. All Letters of Credit shall be subject to the laws or rules designated in such Letter of Credit, or if no laws or rules are designated, the International Standby Practices (ISP98 – International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590) (the “ISP98 Rules”) and, as to matters not governed by the ISP98 Rules, the laws of the State of New York and applicable United States Federal law. If, at Borrower’s request, the Letter of Credit expressly chooses a letter of credit governing rule that is not the ISP98 Rules or a state or country law other than New York state law and United States Federal law or is silent with respect to the choice of the ISP98 Rules or a governing law, neither Agent nor Issuer shall be liable for any payment, cost, expense or loss resulting from any action or inaction taken by Agent or Issuer if such action or inaction is or would be justified under the ISP98 Rules, New York law, applicable United States Federal law or the law governing the Letter of Credit. Borrower agrees that for matters not addressed by the ISP98 Rules, the Letter of Credit shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of New York and applicable United States Federal laws. If, at Borrower’s request, the Letter of Credit expressly chooses a state or country law other than New York state law and United States Federal law or is silent with respect to the choice of the ISP98 Rules or a governing law, Issuer shall not be liable for any payment, cost, expense or loss resulting from any action or inaction taken by Issuer if such action or inaction is or would be justified under the ISP98 Rules, New York law, applicable United States Federal law or the law governing the Letter of Credit. (c) Agent shall use its reasonable efforts to notify Lenders of the request by Borrower for a Letter of Credit hereunder. 2.11. Requirements for Issuance of Letters of Credit. (a) In connection with the issuance of any Letter of Credit, Borrower shall indemnify, save and hold Agent, each Lender and the Issuer harmless from any loss, cost, expense or liability, including, without limitation, payments made by Agent, any Lender or the Issuer and expenses and, subject to Section 15.5(c), reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by Agent, any Lender or the Issuer arising out of, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit to be issued or created for Borrower. Borrower 52


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shall be bound by Agent’s or Issuer’s regulations and good faith interpretations of any Letter of Credit issued or created for Borrower’s Account, although this interpretation may be different from its own; and, neither Agent, nor any Lender, nor the Issuer nor any of their correspondents shall be liable for any error, negligence, or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in following Borrower’s instructions or those contained in any Letter of Credit or of any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto or in issuing or paying any Letter of Credit except for Agent’s, any Lender’s, the Issuer’s or such correspondents’ willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment). (b) Borrower shall authorize and direct the Issuer of a Letter of Credit to deliver to Agent all related payment/acceptance advices, to deliver to Agent all instruments, documents, and other writings and property received by Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit and to accept and rely upon Agent’s instructions and agreements with respect to all matters arising in connection with the Letter of Credit or the application therefor. With respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, Issuer may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit. (c) In connection with all Letters of Credit issued or caused to be issued by Agent under this Agreement, Borrower hereby appoints Agent, or its designee, as its attorney, with full power and authority: (i) to sign and/or endorse Borrower’s name upon any warehouse or other receipts, letter of credit applications and acceptances; (ii) to sign Borrower’s name on bills of lading; and (iii) to complete in Borrower’s name or Agent’s, or in the name of Agent’s designee, any order, sale or transaction, obtain the necessary documents in connection therewith, and collect the proceeds thereof. None of Agent, Issuer nor any of their respective attorneys will be liable for any acts or omissions nor for any error of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, except for Agent’s, Issuer’s or their respective attorney’s willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment). This power, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable as long as any Letters of Credit remain outstanding. (d) Each Lender shall to the extent of the amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage times the aggregate amount of all unreimbursed reimbursement obligations arising from disbursements made or obligations incurred with respect to the Letters of Credit be deemed to have irrevocably purchased an undivided participation in (i) each such unreimbursed reimbursement obligation, and (ii) each Revolving Advance made as a consequence of the issuance of a Letter of Credit and all disbursements thereunder, in each case in an amount equal to such Lender’s applicable Commitment Percentage times the outstanding amount of the Letters of Credit and disbursements thereunder. In the event that at the time a disbursement is made the unpaid balance of Revolving Advances exceeds or would exceed, with the making of such disbursement, the amount permitted under Section 2.1(a), and such disbursement is not reimbursed by Borrower within one (1) Business Day, Agent shall promptly notify each Lender and upon Agent’s demand each Lender shall pay to Agent such Lender’s proportionate share of such unreimbursed disbursement together with such Lender’s proportionate share of Agent’s unreimbursed costs and expenses relating to such unreimbursed disbursement. Upon receipt by Agent of a repayment from Borrower of any amount disbursed by Agent for which Agent had already been reimbursed by Lenders, Agent shall deliver to each Lender that Lender’s pro rata share of such repayment. Each Lender’s participation commitment shall continue until the last to occur of any of the following events: (A) Issuer ceases to be obligated to issue or cause to be issued Letters of Credit hereunder; (B) no Letters of Credit issued hereunder remain outstanding and 53


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uncancelled or (C) all Persons (other than any Loan Party) have been fully reimbursed for all payments made under or relating to Letters of Credit. 2.12. Additional Payments. Any sums expended by Agent or any Lender due to any Loan Party’s failure to perform or comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document including, without limitation, any Loan Party’s obligations under Sections 4.2, 4.4, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 6.1, may be charged to Borrower’s Account as a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan and added to the Obligations. 2.13. Manner of Borrowing and Payment. (a) Each borrowing of Revolving Advances shall be advanced according to the applicable Revolving Commitment Percentages of Lenders. (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by Borrower on account of the principal of the Revolving Advances, shall be applied to the Revolving Advances pro rata according to the applicable Revolving Commitment Percentages of Lenders. Except as expressly provided herein, all payments (including prepayments) to be made by Borrower on account of principal, interest and fees shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and shall be made to Agent on behalf of the Lenders to the Payment Office, in each case on or prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time), in Dollars and in immediately available funds. (c) (i)(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 2.13(a) and 2.13(b), commencing with the first Business Day following the Closing Date, each borrowing of Revolving Advances shall be advanced by Agent and each payment by Borrower on account of Revolving Advances shall be applied first to those Revolving Advances advanced by Agent. On or before 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on each Settlement Date commencing with the first Settlement Date following the Closing Date, Agent and Lenders shall make certain payments as follows: (I) if the aggregate amount of new Revolving Advances made by Agent during the preceding week (if any) exceeds the aggregate amount of repayments applied to outstanding Revolving Advances during such preceding week, then each Lender shall provide Agent with funds in an amount equal to its applicable Commitment Percentage of the difference between (w) such Revolving Advances and (x) such repayments and (II) if the aggregate amount of repayments applied to outstanding Revolving Advances during such week exceeds the aggregate amount of new Revolving Advances made during such week, then Agent shall provide each Lender with funds in an amount equal to its applicable Commitment Percentage of the difference between (y) such repayments and (z) such Revolving Advances. (ii) Each Lender shall be entitled to earn interest at the applicable Contract Rate on outstanding Advances which it has funded. (iii) Promptly following each Settlement Date, Agent shall submit to each Lender a certificate with respect to payments received and Revolving Advances made during the week immediately preceding such Settlement Date. Such certificate of Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. (d) If any Lender or Participant (a “benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Advances, or interest thereon, or receive any Collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by set-off) in a greater proportion than any such payment to and Collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Advances, or interest 54


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thereon, and such greater proportionate payment or receipt of Collateral is not expressly permitted hereunder, such benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participation in such portion of each such other Lender’s Advances, or shall provide such other Lender with the benefits of any such Collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such Collateral or proceeds ratably with each of Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Lender so purchasing a portion of another Lender’s Advances may exercise all rights of payment (including, without limitation, rights of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Lender were the direct holder of such portion. (e) Unless Agent shall have been notified by telephone, confirmed in writing, by any Lender that such Lender will not make the amount which would constitute its applicable Commitment Percentage of the Advances available to Agent, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) assume that such Lender shall make such amount available to Agent on the next Settlement Date and, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. Agent will promptly notify Borrower of its receipt of any such notice from a Lender. If such amount is made available to Agent on a date after such next Settlement Date, such Lender shall pay to Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the daily average Federal Funds Rate (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days) during such period as quoted by Agent, times (ii) such amount, times (iii) the number of days from and including such Settlement Date to the date on which such amount becomes immediately available to Agent. A certificate of Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph (e) shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error. If such amount is not in fact made available to Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days after such Settlement Date, Agent shall be entitled to recover such an amount, with interest thereon at the rate per annum then applicable to such Revolving Advances hereunder, on demand from Borrower; provided, however, that Agent’s right to such recovery shall not prejudice or otherwise adversely affect Borrower’s rights (if any) against such Lender. 2.14. Mandatory Prepayments. (a) When Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Collateral, other than Inventory in the ordinary course of business, or a Casualty Event has occurred, then, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be delivered in respect thereof within ten (10) days of Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s receipt of proceeds (including insurance proceeds, awards, or compensation) of such sale or other disposition or Casualty Event, Borrower shall repay the Advances made to Borrower in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds, such repayments to be made promptly but in no event more than one (1) Business Day following receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, and until the date of payment, such proceeds shall be held in trust for Agent; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, on each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be applied toward the prepayment of the Advances and other amounts as set forth in this Section 2.14(a); and provided further, that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result therefrom, and such Net Cash Proceeds of such a sale, disposition, or Casualty Event do not exceed $25,000,000 in any single transaction or series of related sales or dispositions, then no such prepayment shall be required. The foregoing shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such sale otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions hereof. Such repayments shall be applied to the Advances in such order as Agent may determine, subject to Borrower’s ability to reborrow Revolving Advances in accordance with the terms hereof. (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11, Agent shall apply the proceeds of any insurance settlements from casualty losses which are received by Agent to the Advances in such order as 55


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Agent may determine, subject to Borrower’s ability to reborrow Revolving Advances in accordance with the terms hereof. (c) [Reserved]. (d) [Reserved]. (e) If any Loan Party receives any proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness), Borrower shall repay the Advances made to Borrower in an amount equal to the net proceeds of such issuance or incurrence (i.e., gross proceeds less the reasonable costs of such issuance or incurrence), such repayments to be made promptly but in no event more than one (1) Business Day following receipt of such net proceeds, and until the date of payment, such proceeds shall be held in trust for Agent. The foregoing shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such sale or issuance otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions hereof. Such repayments shall be applied to the other Advances in such order as Agent may determine, subject to Borrower’s ability to reborrow Revolving Advances in accordance with the terms hereof. 2.15. Use of Proceeds. Borrower shall apply the proceeds of Advances to (i) pay fees and expenses relating to the Transactions, (ii) provide for its working capital needs and reimburse drawings under Letters of Credit and (iii) for other general corporate purposes. 2.16. Defaulting Lender. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, all rights and obligations hereunder of such Lender and of the other parties hereto shall be modified to the extent of the express provisions of this Section 2.16 while such Lender is a Defaulting Lender. (b) Advances shall be incurred pro rata from Lenders (the “Non-Defaulting Lenders”) which are not Defaulting Lenders based on their respective Commitment Percentages, and no Commitment Percentage of any Lender or any pro rata share of any Advances required to be advanced by any Lender shall be increased as a result of such Lender being a Defaulting Lender. Amounts received in respect of principal of any type of Advances shall be applied to reduce the applicable Advances of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) pro rata based on the aggregate of the outstanding Advances of that type of all Lenders at the time of such application; provided that Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments received by Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit, nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to the sharing of any payments hereunder (including any principal, interest or fees). Amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender shall instead be paid to or retained by Agent. Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to Borrower the amount of such payments received or retained by it for the account of such Defaulting Lender. (c) A Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to give instructions to Agent or to approve, disapprove, consent to or vote on any matters relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than (i) any such amendment, waiver or consent to the extent that it relates to any matter that disproportionately affects any Defaulting Lender and (ii) any of the matters governed by Section 15.2(a)(i) through (iii) that affect such Lender. All amendments, waivers and other modifications of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be made without regard to a Defaulting Lender 56


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and, for purposes of the definition of “Required Lenders”, a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender and not to have either Advances outstanding or a Commitment Percentage. (d) Other than as expressly set forth in this Section 2.16, the rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender (including the obligation to indemnify Agent) and the other parties hereto shall remain unchanged. Nothing in this Section 2.16 shall be deemed to release any Defaulting Lender from its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall alter such obligations, shall operate as a waiver of any default by such Defaulting Lender hereunder, or shall prejudice any rights which Borrower, Agent or any Lender may have against any Defaulting Lender as a result of any default by such Defaulting Lender hereunder. (e) If Borrower, Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Advances of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Advances and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable facility, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustment will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. (f) So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) no Issuer shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto. 2.17. Bank Product Obligations and Lender-Provided Hedges. Each Lender or Affiliate thereof providing Bank Product Obligations for, or having Lender-Provided Hedges with, any Loan Party shall deliver to the Agent, promptly after entering into such Bank Product Obligations or Lender-Provided Hedges, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Bank Product Obligations and Lender-Provided Hedges of such Loan Party to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Bank Product Obligations and Lender-Provided Hedges. The most recent information provided to the Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Bank Product Obligations and/or Lender-Provided Hedges pursuant to Section 11.2 and which tier of the waterfall contained in Section 11.2 such Bank Product Obligations and/or Lender-Provided Hedges will be placed. For the avoidance of doubt, so long as HSBC or its Affiliate is the Agent, neither HSBC nor any of its Affiliates providing Bank Product Obligations for, or having Lender-Provided Hedges with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Loan Party shall be required to provide any notice described in this Section 2.17 in respect of such Bank Product Obligations or Lender-Provided Hedges 57


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III. INTEREST AND FEES. 3.1. Interest. Interest on Advances shall be payable to Agent for the benefit of Lenders in arrears on the applicable Interest Payment Date. Interest charges shall be computed on the actual principal amount of Advances outstanding during the calendar month at a rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to Revolving Advances, the applicable Revolving Interest Rate and (ii) with respect to Swingline Loans, the Revolving Interest Rate applicable to Revolving Advances maintained as Domestic Rate Loans (each such rate, as applicable, the “Contract Rate”). Whenever, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Base Rate is increased or decreased, the applicable Contract Rate for Domestic Rate Loans shall be similarly changed without notice or demand of any kind by an amount equal to the amount of such change in the Base Rate during the time such change or changes remain in effect. Upon and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any (x) Default or Event of Default under Sections 10.1, 10.7, or 10.8, all overdue Obligations shall bear interest at the applicable Contract Rate plus two percent (2.0%) per annum (the “Default Rate”), and (y) any other Default or Event of Default, upon the election of the Agent or the Required Lenders, all Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate. 3.2. Letter of Credit Fees; Cash Collateral. (a) Borrower shall pay (w) to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, fees for each Letter of Credit for the period from and excluding the date of issuance of same to and including the date of expiration or termination, equal to the average daily face amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit multiplied by the Letter of Credit Fee Percentage, the fees under this Section 3.2(a)(w) to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each quarter and on the last day of the Term, to Agent for the benefit of Issuer, (x) any and all customary fees and expenses in connection with any Letter of Credit, including, without limitation, in connection with the issuance, amendment or renewal of any such Letter of Credit, and (y) a fee equal to the greater of (i) one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) of the amount of each draft negotiated with respect to any Letter of Credit upon the payment thereof and (ii) $100 (all of the foregoing fees, the “Letter of Credit and Guarantee Fees”). All such charges shall be deemed earned in full on the date when the same are due and payable hereunder and shall not be subject to rebate or pro-ration upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason. Any such charge in effect at the time of a particular transaction shall be the charge for that transaction, notwithstanding any subsequent change in Issuer’s prevailing charges for that type of transaction. Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, and during the continuation thereof, Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, increase the Letter of Credit and Guarantee Fees by two percent (2.0%) per annum. All Letter of Credit and Guarantee Fees payable hereunder shall be deemed earned in full on the date when the same are due and payable hereunder and shall not be subject to rebate or pro-ration upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason. (b) On demand from Agent or the Required Lenders at any time following (x) the occurrence of an Event of Default (whether or not such Event of Default is continuing) or (y) any termination of the Lenders’ commitment to make Revolving Advances, Borrower will cause cash to be deposited and maintained in an account with Agent, as cash collateral for the Obligations, in an amount equal to one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Reserve, and Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent, in its discretion, on Borrower’s behalf and in Borrower’s name, to open such an account and to make and maintain deposits therein, or in an account opened by Borrower, in the amounts required to be made by Borrower, out of the proceeds of Receivables or other Collateral or out of any other funds of Borrower coming into any Lender’s possession at any time. Agent will invest such cash collateral (less applicable reserves) in such short-term money-market items as to which Agent and 58


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Borrower mutually agree and the net return on such investments shall be credited to such account and constitute additional cash collateral. Borrower may not withdraw amounts credited to any such account except upon payment and performance in full in cash of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations) and termination of this Agreement. 3.3. Unused Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a fee in an amount equal to (x) the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount minus the sum of (1) the average daily balance of the Revolving Advances during the immediately preceding quarter, plus,(2) the average daily face amount of the Letter of Credit Reserve during the immediately preceding quarter, multiplied by the applicable Commitment Fee Percentage. Such fee to be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year for the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each quarter following the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, outstanding Swingline Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of Revolving Advances for purposes of determining the unused commitment fee. 3.4. Fee Letter. Borrower shall pay the amounts required to be paid in the Fee Letter in the manner and at the times required by the Fee Letter. 3.5. Computation of Interest and Fees. Interest and fees hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and for the actual number of days elapsed except that, with respect to Advances the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Base Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. If any payment to be made hereunder becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest thereon shall be payable at the applicable Contract Rate during such extension; provided that with respect to SOFR Loans, if extending such payment would cause the last day of the applicable Interest Period to be extended into the next calendar month, then the due date for such payment shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. 3.6. Maximum Charges. In no event whatsoever shall interest and other charges charged hereunder exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law. In the event interest and other charges as computed hereunder would otherwise exceed the highest rate permitted under Applicable Law, such excess amount shall be first applied to any unpaid principal balance owed by Borrower, and if the then remaining excess amount is greater than the previously unpaid principal balance, Lenders shall promptly refund such excess amount to Borrower and the provisions hereof shall be deemed amended to provide for such permissible rate. 3.7. Increased Costs. In the event that any Applicable Law, treaty or governmental regulation coming into effect after the Closing Date, or any change therein or any change in the interpretation or application thereof after the Closing Date, or compliance by any Lender (for purposes of this Section 3.7, the term “Lender” shall include Agent or any Lender and any corporation or bank controlling Agent or any Lender) and the office or branch where Agent or any Lender (as so defined) makes or maintains any SOFR Loans with any 59


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request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Body arising after the Closing Date, shall: (a) subject Agent or any Lender to any Tax (other than (i) Indemnified Taxes, (ii) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (iii) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; (b) impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, any office of Agent or any Lender, including (without limitation) pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; or (c) impose on Agent or any Lender any other condition with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Agent or any Lender of making, renewing or maintaining its Advances hereunder by an amount that Agent or such Lender reasonably deems to be material or to reduce the amount of any payment (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) in respect of any of the Advances by an amount that Agent or such Lender reasonably deems to be material, then, in any case Borrower shall promptly pay Agent or such Lender, upon its demand, such additional amount as will compensate Agent or such Lender for such additional cost or such reduction, as the case may be, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to increased costs which are reflected in Adjusted Term SOFR. Agent or such Lender shall certify the amount of such additional cost or reduced amount to Borrower, and such certification shall be conclusive absent manifest error. 3.8. Benchmark Replacement. (a) Benchmark Replacement. (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5 th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. (ii) No Hedging Agreement shall be deemed to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 3.8). (b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Agent will have the right to 60


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make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. (c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. Agent will promptly notify the Borrower of the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 3.8(d). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 3.8, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 3.8. (d) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks, then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable, non-representative, non-compliant or non-aligned tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor. (e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a SOFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for an Advance or conversion to Domestic Rate Loans. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Base Rate. 3.9. Capital Adequacy. (a) In the event that Agent or any Lender shall have determined that any Applicable Law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy or liquidity, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation, application or administration thereof by any Governmental Body, central 61


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bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by Agent or any Lender (for purposes of this Section 3.9, the term “Lender” shall include Agent or any Lender and any corporation or bank controlling Agent or any Lender) and the office or branch where Agent or any Lender (as so defined) makes or maintains any SOFR Loans with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Agent or any Lender’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which Agent or such Lender would have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration Agent’s and each Lender’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) by an amount reasonably deemed by Agent or any Lender to be material, then, from time to time, Borrower shall pay upon demand to Agent or such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Agent or such Lender for such reduction. In determining such amount or amounts, Agent or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging or attribution methods. The protections of this Section 3.9 shall be available to Agent and each Lender regardless of any possible contention of invalidity or inapplicability with respect to the Applicable Law, regulation or condition. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for all purposes under this Agreement, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in either case, be deemed to have gone into effect after the Closing Date, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued. (b) A certificate of Agent or such Lender setting forth such amount or amounts as shall be necessary to compensate Agent or such Lender with respect to Section 3.9(a) when delivered to Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. 3.10. Taxes. (a) For purposes of this Section 3.10, the term “Lender” includes the Issuer and the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA. (b) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Body in accordance with Applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. (c) The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Body in accordance with Applicable Law, or at the option of Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes. (d) The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such 62


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Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Body. Promptly upon having knowledge that any such Indemnified Taxes have been levied, imposed or assessed, and promptly upon notice by the Agent or any Lender, the Loan Parties shall pay such Indemnified Taxes directly to the relevant Governmental Body; provided that neither Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to provide any such notice to the Loan Parties. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to Agent), or by Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Loan Parties hereby indemnify Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay to Agent as required by the Agreement. (e) Each Lender shall severally indemnify Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 15.3 relating to the maintenance of the Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by Agent in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise payable by Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to Agent under this paragraph (e). (f) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Body pursuant to this Section 3.10, such Loan Party shall deliver to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Body evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Agent. (g) (i)(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to Borrower and Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as will enable Borrower or Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.10(g)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender. (ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Borrower is a Borrower that is a U.S. Person, (A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrower and Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from 63


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time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower or Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; (B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower or Agent), whichever of the following is applicable: (1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, properly completed and duly executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, IRS Form W--8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty; (2) properly completed and duly executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI; (3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) properly completed and duly executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or (4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, properly completed and duly executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, or IRS Form W-8BEN-E a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; (C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower or Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit Borrower or Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and 64


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(D) if a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. (iii) On or before the date the Agent (or any successor Agent) becomes the Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to Borrower two (2) duly executed copies of either (A) IRS Form W-9 (or any successor forms) certifying that it is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax or (B) a U.S. branch withholding certificate on IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) evidencing its agreement with Borrower to be treated as a U.S. Person (with respect to amounts received on account of any Lender party to this Agreement) and IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms) (with respect to amounts received on its own account), with the effect that, in either case, Borrower will be entitled to make payments hereunder to the Agent without withholding or deduction on account of U.S. federal withholding Tax. The Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered becomes expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification. Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify Borrower and Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so. (h) If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 3.10 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.10), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Body with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Body) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Body. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person. (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.10, Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income taxes at the full 30% withholding rate if in its reasonable judgment it is required to do so under the due diligence requirements imposed upon a withholding agent under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441-7(b). Further, Agent is indemnified under 65


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Treasury Regulations Section 1.1461-1(e) against any claims and demands of any Lender or Participant for the amount of any tax it deducts and withholds in accordance with regulations under Section 1441 of the Code. (j) Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. IV. COLLATERAL: GENERAL TERMS. 4.1. Security Interest in the Collateral. To secure the prompt payment and performance to Agent, the Issuer and each Lender of the Obligations, each Loan Party hereby assigns, pledges and grants to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of Agent, the Issuer and each Lender a continuing security interest in and to all of the Collateral, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wheresoever located. 4.2. Perfection of Security Interest. (a) Each Loan Party shall take all action that may be necessary or desirable that Agent may reasonably request, so as at all times to maintain the validity, perfection, enforceability and priority of Agent’s security interest in the Collateral or to enable Agent to protect, exercise or enforce its rights hereunder and in the Collateral, including, but not limited to, (i) promptly discharging all Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances, (ii) delivering to Agent, endorsed or accompanied by such instruments of assignment as Agent may reasonably specify, any and all chattel paper, instruments, letters of credits and advices thereof and documents evidencing or forming a part of the Collateral, in each case, to the extent such Collateral comprises part of the Pledged Collateral required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent under Section 4.2, and (iii) executing and/or delivering financing statements or other instruments of pledge, notices and assignments, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, relating to the creation, validity, perfection, maintenance or continuation of Agent’s security interest under the UCC or other Applicable Law. (b) Agent may at any time and from time to time file, without the signature of any Loan Party in accordance with Section 9-509 of the UCC, financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto that describe the Collateral as “all assets” (or equivalent language) of such Loan Party and which contain any other information required by the UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statements, continuation statements or amendments. Each Loan Party agrees to furnish any such information to Agent promptly upon request. (c) Each Loan Party shall, subject to the Perfection Exceptions, at any time and from time to time, take such steps as Agent may reasonably request to insure the continued perfection and priority of Agent’s security interest in any of the Collateral for the benefit of the Lenders and of its rights therein. If any Loan Party shall at any time, acquire a “commercial tort claim” with a value in excess of $5,000,000 individually (as such term is defined in the UCC), such Loan Party shall promptly notify Agent thereof in writing, therein providing a reasonable description and summary thereof, and upon delivery thereof to Agent, such Loan Party shall be deemed to thereby grant to Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (and each Loan Party hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of each Lender) a security interest and lien in and to such commercial tort claim and all proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of and governed by this Agreement. 66


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(d) Each Loan Party agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent any and all (i) Pledged Equity Interests of Borrower and the Guarantors on the date hereof (subject to Section 6.11), (ii) Pledged Debt Securities in a principal amount in excess of $10,000,000 on the date hereof (subject to Section 6.11) and (iii) all other Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as promptly as practicable after the Closing Date (subject to Section 6.11), in each case, in the case of any such Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities owned by such Loan Party on the date hereof, and within 30 days of receipt by such Loan Party (or such later date as the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), in each case, in the case of any such Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities s acquired by such Loan Party after the date hereof. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) to the extent any interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled now or in the future by such Loan Party (or by such Loan Party and one or more other Loan Parties) and pledged hereunder is a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC and is governed by Article 8 of the UCC, such interest shall be certificated or subject to a control agreement for such uncertificated interest; and such certificate shall be delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Section 4.2(d) and (ii) each such interest shall at all times hereafter continue to be such a security and represented by such certificate or subject to a control agreement. Each Loan Party further acknowledges and agrees that with respect to any interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled now or in the future by such Loan Party (or by such Loan Party and one or more other Loan Parties) and pledged hereunder that is not a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC, the terms of such interest shall at no time provide that such interest is a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC, nor shall such interest be represented by a certificate, unless such Loan Party provides prior written notification to the Agent that the terms of such interest so provide that such interest is a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC and such interest is thereafter represented by a certificate or subject to a control agreement; and such certificate shall be delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Section 4.2(d). (e) All charges, expenses and fees Agent may incur in doing any of the foregoing shall be paid by the Loan Parties in accordance with Section 15.9 of this Agreement. 4.3. [Reserved]. 4.4. Preservation of Collateral. In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in Section 11.1, Agent may following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default: (a) at any time take such steps as Agent deems necessary in its reasonable credit judgment to protect Agent’s interest in and to preserve the Collateral, including the hiring of such security guards or the placing of other security protection measures as Agent may deem appropriate; (b) employ and maintain at any Loan Party’s premises a custodian who shall have full authority to do all acts necessary to protect Agent’s interests in the Collateral; (c) lease warehouse facilities to which Agent may move all or part of the Collateral; and (d) use any Loan Party’s owned or leased lifts, hoists, trucks and other facilities or equipment for handling or removing the Collateral. In addition, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or in connection with any inspections or field examinations performed by or on behalf of Agent, Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, a right of ingress and egress to the places where the Collateral is located, and may proceed over and through any Loan Party’s owned or leased property. Each Loan Party shall cooperate fully with all of Agent’s efforts to preserve the Collateral and will take such actions to preserve the Collateral as Agent may direct. All of Agent’s expenses of preserving the Collateral, including any expenses relating to the bonding of a custodian, shall be paid by the Loan Parties in accordance with Section 15.9 of this Agreement. 67


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4.5. Ownership of Collateral. (a) With respect to the Collateral, at the time the Collateral becomes subject to Agent’s security interest: (a) each Loan Party shall be the sole owner of and fully authorized and able to sell, transfer, pledge and/or grant a first priority security interest in each and every item of its respective Collateral to Agent; and, except for Permitted Encumbrances the Collateral shall be free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances whatsoever; (b) each document and agreement with respect to the Collateral executed by any Loan Party or delivered to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects; and (c) all signatures and endorsements of each Loan Party that appear on such documents and agreements shall be genuine and each Loan Party shall have full capacity to execute same. 4.6. Defense of Agent’s and Lenders’ Interests. Until (a) payment and performance in full in cash of all of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations) and (b) termination of this Agreement, Agent’s security interests in the Collateral shall continue in full force and effect. During such period no Loan Party shall, without Agent’s prior written consent, pledge, sell (except Permitted Dispositions), assign, transfer, create or suffer to exist a Lien upon or encumber or allow or suffer to be encumbered in any way except for Permitted Encumbrances, any part of the Collateral. Each Loan Party shall defend Agent’s interests in the Collateral against any and all Persons whatsoever. Subsequent to the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the right to take possession of the indicia of the Collateral and the Collateral in whatever physical form contained, including without limitation, labels, stationery, documents, instruments and advertising materials. If Agent exercises this right to take possession of the Collateral, each Loan Party shall, upon demand, assemble and make it available to Agent at one of such Loan Party’s locations set forth in Schedule 4.5 hereto. In addition, with respect to all Collateral, Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies set forth herein and further provided by the UCC or other Applicable Law. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each Loan Party shall, and Agent may, at its option, instruct all suppliers, carriers, forwarders, warehouses or others receiving or holding cash, checks, Inventory, documents or instruments in which Agent holds a security interest to deliver same to Agent and/or subject to Agent’s order and if they shall come into any Loan Party’s possession, they shall be held by such Loan Party in trust as Agent’s trustee, and such Loan Party will immediately deliver them to Agent in their original form together with any necessary endorsement. 4.7. Books and Records. Each Loan Party shall, in all material respects, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to its business and affairs; (b) set up on its books accruals with respect to all taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims; and (c) on a reasonably current basis set up on its books, from its earnings, allowances against doubtful Receivables, advances and investments and all other proper accruals (including without limitation by reason of enumeration, accruals for premiums, if any, due on required payments and accruals for depreciation, obsolescence, or amortization of properties), which should be set aside from such earnings in connection with its business. All determinations pursuant to this Section 4.7 shall be made in accordance with, or as required by, GAAP consistently applied. 68


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4.8. Financial Disclosure. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Accountants and auditors employed by such Loan Party at any time during the Term to exhibit and deliver to Agent and each Lender copies of any of such Loan Party’s financial statements, trial balances or other accounting records of any sort in the Accountants’ or auditor’s possession, and to disclose to Agent and each Lender any information such Accountants may have concerning such Loan Party’s financial status and business operations. Each Loan Party hereby authorizes all federal, state and municipal authorities to furnish to Agent and each Lender copies of reports or examinations relating to such Loan Party, whether made by such Loan Party or otherwise; however, Agent will attempt to obtain such information or materials directly from the applicable Loan Party prior to obtaining such information or materials from such authorities. 4.9. Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party shall comply with all acts, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Body applicable to the Collateral or any part thereof or to the operation of such Loan Party’s business the non-compliance with which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Collateral at all times shall be maintained in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of all insurance carriers which provide insurance with respect to the Collateral so that such insurance shall remain in full force and effect. 4.10. Inspection of Premises. At (x) reasonable times during normal business hours (to be not more than once per fiscal year) with reasonable prior notice to Borrower (it being understood that at least two (2) Business Days’ notice will be considered reasonable prior notice) or (y) at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (provided that no prior notice shall be required following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default), Agent shall have full access to and the right to audit, check, inspect and make abstracts and copies from each Loan Party’s books, records, audits, correspondence and all other papers, in each case, relating to the Collateral and the operation of such Loan Party’s business. At (x) reasonable times during business hours (to be not more than once per fiscal year) with reasonable prior notice to Borrower (it being understood that at least two (2) Business Days’ notice will be considered reasonable prior notice) or (y) at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (provided that no prior notice shall be required following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default), Agent and its agents may enter upon any of any Loan Party’s premises for the sole purpose of inspecting the Collateral and any and all records pertaining thereto and the operation of such Loan Party’s business; provided that, that neither Agent and its agents may exercise the rights of visitation and in-person inspection hereunder with respect to any property of any Loan Party until such Loan Party has reopened such property from COVID-19 safety closures, and thereafter, such Agent and its agents shall only conduct such visits or inspections in accordance with (i) Applicable Law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any guidelines published by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and (ii) the reasonable safety and health policies and/or procedures maintained at such time by such Loan Party, to the extent that such health policies and/or procedures are not maintained by such Loan Party in order to circumvent the requirements of this Section 4.10. 4.11. Insurance. Each Loan Party shall bear the full risk of any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the Collateral. At each Loan Parties’ own cost and expense in amounts and with carriers acceptable to 69


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Agent, Loan Parties shall: (a) keep all its insurable properties and properties in which any Loan Party has an interest insured against the hazards of fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, those hazards covered by extended coverage insurance and such other hazards, and for such amounts, as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Loan Parties including, without limitation, business interruption insurance; (b) maintain a bond in such amount as is customary in the case of companies in the same industry and of comparable size as the Loan Parties against larceny, embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation of insured’s officers and employees who may either singly or jointly with others at any time have access to the assets or funds of the Loan Parties either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such assets; (c) [reserved]; (d) maintain public and product liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage suffered by others; (e) maintain all such worker’s compensation or similar insurance as may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which the Loan Parties are engaged in business; (f) [reserved]; (g) [reserved]; and (h) furnish Agent with (i) copies of all policies and evidence of the maintenance of such policies by the renewal thereof at least thirty (30) days before any expiration date, and (ii) appropriate endorsements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, naming Agent as a co-insured and lender’s loss payable as its interests may appear with respect to all insurance coverage referred to in clauses (a), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above, as applicable, and providing (A) that all proceeds thereunder shall be payable to Agent (excluding insurance coverage referred to in clauses (d) and (e) above), (B) no such insurance shall be affected by any act or neglect of the insured or owner of the property described in such policy other than nonpayment of premiums, and (C) that such policy and lender’s loss payable clauses may not be cancelled, amended or terminated unless at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice is given to Agent. In the event of any loss thereunder (excluding insurance coverage referred to in clauses (d) and (e) above), the carriers named therein hereby are directed by Agent and the Loan Parties to make payment for such loss to Agent and not to the applicable Loan Party and Agent jointly. If any insurance losses are paid by check, draft or other instrument payable to a Loan Party and Agent jointly, Agent may endorse such Loan Party’s name thereon and do such other things as Agent may deem advisable to reduce the same to cash. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent is hereby authorized to adjust and compromise claims under insurance coverage referred to clause (a) above. All loss recoveries received by Agent upon any such insurance may be applied to the Obligations, in such order as Agent in its sole discretion shall determine. Any surplus shall be paid by Agent to Borrower within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof or applied as may be otherwise required by law. Any deficiency thereon shall be paid by the Loan Parties to Agent, on demand. 4.12. [Reserved]. 4.13. Payment of Taxes. Each Loan Party will pay, before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period, all Taxes, assessments and other charges lawfully levied or assessed upon such Loan Party or any of the Collateral by any Governmental Body, except (i) where such Taxes, assessments, fees or other charges are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and which proper reserves have been taken by such Loan Party or (ii) where the failure to make such payments would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 4.14. Payment of Leasehold Obligations. Each Loan Party shall at all times pay, when and as due, its rental obligations under all leases under which it is a tenant except where the failure to make such payments would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 70


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4.15. [Reserved]. 4.16. [Reserved]. 4.17. [Reserved]. 4.18. Exculpation of Liability. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute Agent or any Lender as Loan Parties’ agent for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall Agent or any Lender be responsible or liable for any shortage, discrepancy, damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral wherever the same may be located and regardless of the cause thereof. Neither Agent nor any Lender, whether by anything herein or in any assignment or otherwise, assume any of any Loan Party’s obligations under any contract or agreement assigned to Agent or such Lender, and neither Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible in any way for the performance by any Loan Party of any of the terms and conditions thereof. 4.19. [Reserved]. 4.20. Financing Statements. Other than the financing statements filed by Agent with respect to the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the financing statements evidencing Permitted Encumbrances, including (but not limited to) those described on Schedule 7.2, no Loan Party has authorized the filing of any financing statement covering any of the Collateral. 4.21. [Reserved]. 4.22. Agent as Collateral Agent. (a) Each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to (i) execute, deliver and perform as a collateral agent under this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which Agent is or is intended to be a party, (ii) exercise and enforce any and all rights, powers and remedies provided to Agent or any Lender by this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which Agent is or is intended to be a party, any Applicable Law, or any other document, instrument, or agreement, and (iii) take any other action under this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which Agent is or is intended to be a party which Agent in its sole discretion shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent shall not commence an enforcement action except at the direction of the Required Lenders; provided that if Agent is prohibited by any court order or applicable law from commencing any enforcement action, Agent shall not be obligated to commence such enforcement action until such authority is obtained. All decisions with respect to the type of enforcement action which is to be commenced shall be made by, and all actions with respect to prosecution and settlement of such enforcement action shall require the direction of the Required Lenders, and Agent shall not be required to take any enforcement action in the absence of any such direction. Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to pursue diligently the prosecution of any enforcement action, which Agent is so authorized or directed to initiate pursuant to this Agreement. Agent shall make available to the Lenders copies of all notices it receives in connection with the Collateral or any enforcement action promptly upon receipt. (b) Agent may, but shall not be obligated, to take such action as it deems necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of the Liens on the Collateral held for the benefit of the Lenders. Agent shall not release any of the Collateral held for the benefit of the Lenders, or any Liens on the 71


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Collateral held for the benefit of the Lenders, except (i) upon the written direction of the Required Lenders (or of all Lenders if required under Section 15.2(b)), (ii) upon payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations), the termination of all Commitments under this Agreement and the cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement (or as otherwise acceptable to the Issuer in its sole discretion), (iii) for Collateral consisting of a debt instrument if the indebtedness evidenced thereby has been paid in full, (iv) where such release is expressly permitted under the Loan Documents to which it is a party or (v) with respect to any Receivable that is sold or pledged in connection with any Permitted Receivables Indebtedness. (c) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Agent agrees to administer and enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to foreclose upon, collect and dispose of the Collateral and to apply the proceeds therefrom, for the benefit of Agent, the Issuer and each Lender, as provided in this Agreement, and otherwise to perform its duties and obligations as the collateral agent hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, that Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents to which it is a party as Collateral Agent, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into any such Loan Documents against Agent. Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to pursue diligently the enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which Agent is so authorized or directed to initiate pursuant to this Agreement. (d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action but shall only be required to act or refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders, in each case, as specified therein, and such instructions shall be binding upon Agent, the Issuer and each Lender; provided, however, that the written instructions of Agent, the Issuer and each Lender shall be required where expressly provided for herein; and provided, further, that Agent shall not be required to take any action which is contrary to any provision herein or Applicable Law. (e) Agent may at any time request instructions from the Required Lenders as to a course of action to be taken by it hereunder and any of the other Loan Documents or in connection herewith and therewith or any other matters relating hereto and thereto. (f) Unless otherwise consented to in writing by Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders), no Lender or Issuer, individually or together with any other Lenders or the Issuer, shall have the right, nor shall it, exercise or enforce any of the rights, powers or remedies which Agent is authorized to exercise or enforce under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. (g) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, in no event shall Agent be required to foreclose on, or take possession of, the Collateral, if, in the judgment of Agent, such action would be in violation of any Applicable Law, rule or regulation pertaining thereto, or if Agent reasonably believes that such action would result in the incurrence of liability by Agent for which it is not fully indemnified by the Issuer and each Lender. (h) Neither Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable or responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment). 72


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(i) Agent shall not be responsible to the Issuer and each Lender for (i) any recital statements, representations or warranties by Borrower or any of the Issuer and Lenders contained in this Agreement or the Loan Documents, or any certificate or other document delivered by Borrower or the Issuer and each Lender thereunder, (ii) the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability (other than as to Agent with respect to such documents to which Agent is a party) or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other document referred to or provided for herein or therein or of the Collateral held by Agent hereunder, (iii) the performance or observance by Borrower or any of the Issuer and Lenders of any of their respective agreements contained herein or therein, nor shall Agent be liable because of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement (other than as to itself) or (iv) the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder (except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment, on the part of Agent), the validity of the title of Borrower to the Collateral, insuring the Collateral or the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. (j) The powers conferred on Agent under this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession and the accounting for monies actually received by it, Agent shall have no other duty as to the Collateral, whether or not Agent or any of the other Lenders or the Issuer has or is deemed to have knowledge of any matters, or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to the Collateral. Agent hereby agrees to exercise reasonable care in respect of the custody and preservation of the Collateral. Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Agent accords its own property. (k) Upon the payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations), the termination of all Commitments under this Agreement, the cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement (or as otherwise acceptable to the Issuer in its sole discretion), and the termination of this Agreement or as may be otherwise directed by Required Lenders (or of all Lenders if required under Section 15.2(b)) in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, all rights to the Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied, in each case, pursuant to the terms hereof, shall revert to the applicable Loan Parties, their respective successors or permitted assigns, or otherwise as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. Upon any such termination, Agent shall, at Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to Borrower such documents as Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such termination and release. V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each Loan Party represents and warrants as of the date hereof and on every other date thereafter on which an Advance is made (solely to the extent required to be true and correct for such Advance pursuant to Section 8.2), to Agent, Collateral Agent and the Lenders that: 5.1. Authority. Each Loan Party has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to perform all its Obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and of the other Loan Documents (a) are within such Loan 73


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Party’s corporate or limited liability company power, as applicable, have been duly authorized, are not in contravention of Applicable Law or the terms of such Loan Party’s by-laws, operating agreement, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, as applicable, or other applicable documents relating to such Loan Party’s organization or formation or to the conduct of such Loan Party’s business or of any agreement or undertaking to which such Loan Party is a party or by which such Loan Party is bound, and (b) will not conflict with nor result in any breach in any of the provisions of or constitute a default under or result in the creation of any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances upon any asset of such Loan Party under the provisions of any agreement, charter document, by-law, or other instrument to which such Loan Party or its property is a party or by which it may be bound. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as applicable, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability. 5.2. Formation and Qualification. (a) Each Loan Party is duly formed or incorporated and in good standing under the laws of the States set forth in Schedule 5.2(a) hereto and is qualified to do business and is in good standing in the States listed in Schedule 5.2(a) hereto which constitute all States in which qualification and good standing are necessary for such Loan Party to conduct its business and own its property and where the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The exact State organizational identification number of each Loan Party is set forth in Schedule 5.2(a) hereto. Each Loan Party has delivered to Agent true and complete copies of its certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, by-laws, operating agreement and stockholder’s agreement (or any other agreements among the equity holders of such Loan Party), as applicable, and will promptly notify Lender of any amendment or changes thereto. (b) The only Subsidiaries of and owners of each Loan Party (including owners of Equity Interests issued by each Loan Party (other than the Borrower)) are listed on Schedule 5.2(b). 5.3. [Reserved]. 5.4. Tax Returns. Each Loan Party’s federal tax identification number is set forth in Schedule 5.4 hereto. Each Loan Party has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and other reports each is required by law to file and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges that are due and payable other than any such taxes, assessments, fees or other governmental charges which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which proper reserves have been taken by such Loan Party. Federal, state and local income tax returns of each Loan Party have been examined and reported upon by the appropriate taxing authority or closed by applicable statute and satisfied for all fiscal years prior to and including the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The Provision for Taxes on the books of each Loan Party are adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes, and for its current fiscal year, and no Loan Party has any knowledge of any deficiency or additional assessment in connection therewith not provided for on its books. 5.5. Financial Statements. (a) [Reserved]. 74


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(b) The quarterly cash flow projections of Borrower for the period January 1, 2022 through and including December 31, 2025, (the “Projections”) were prepared by Authorized Officer of Borrower, are based on underlying assumptions which provide a reasonable basis for the projections contained therein and reflect Borrower’s judgment based on present circumstances of the most likely set of conditions and course of action for the projected period. (c) [Reserved]. (d) The audited consolidated balance sheets of Borrower as of December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholder’s equity, and changes in cash flow for the period ended on such date, all accompanied by reports thereon containing opinions without qualification by the Accountants, copies of which have been delivered to Agent, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied (except for changes in application in which such accountants concur) and present fairly the financial position of Borrower at such date and the results of its operations for such period. (e) Since December 31, 2020, no event, condition or state of facts has occurred which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect individually or in the aggregate. 5.6. Entity Name. The exact name of each Loan Party is set forth in Schedule 5.6 hereto. No Loan Party has been known by any other corporate, limited liability company or partnership name in the past five years and no Loan Party sells Inventory under any other name except as set forth in Schedule 5.6 hereto, nor has any Loan Party been the surviving corporation of a merger or consolidation or acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person during the preceding five (5) years, except as set forth in Schedule 5.6 hereto. 5.7. O.S.H.A. and Environmental Compliance. (a) Each Loan Party has duly complied with, and its facilities, business, assets, property, leaseholds and Equipment are in compliance, in all material respects, with the provisions of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, RCRA and all other Environmental Laws; there are no outstanding citations, notices or orders of non-compliance issued to any Loan Party or relating to its business, assets, property, leaseholds or Equipment under any such laws, rules or regulations, in each case except as set forth on Schedule 5.7. (b) Each Loan Party has been issued all required federal, state and local licenses, certificates or permits relating to all applicable Environmental Laws, the effect of the failure of which to obtain such licenses, certificates or permits could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect individually or in the aggregate, except as set forth on Schedule 5.7. (c) (i) To Borrower’s knowledge, there are no visible signs of releases, spills, discharges, leaks or disposal (each, a “Release”) of Hazardous Substances at, upon, under or within any Real Property; (ii) to Borrower’s knowledge, there are no underground storage tanks or polychlorinated biphenyls on any Real Property; (iii) to Borrower’s knowledge, the Real Property has never been used as a treatment, storage or disposal facility of Hazardous Waste; and (iv) no Hazardous Substances are present on any Real Property, excepting such quantities as are handled in accordance with all applicable manufacturer’s instructions and governmental regulations and in proper storage containers and as are 75


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necessary or appropriate for the operation of the commercial business of any Loan Party or of its tenants, in each case except as set forth on Schedule 5.7. 5.8. Solvency; No Litigation, Violation, Indebtedness or Default. (a) After giving effect to the Transactions, Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be solvent, able to pay its debts as they mature, have capital sufficient to carry on its business and all businesses in which it is about to engage, and (i) as of the Closing Date, the fair present saleable value of each Loan Party’s assets, is in excess of the amount of its liabilities and (ii) immediately subsequent to the Closing Date, the fair saleable value of each Loan Party’s assets (calculated on a going concern basis) will be in excess of the amount of its liabilities. For purposes of this Section 5.8(a), the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5). (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8(b), no Loan Party has any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration, actions or proceedings which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. (c) No Loan Party is in violation of any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance in any material respect, nor is any Loan Party in violation of any order of any court, Governmental Body or arbitration board or tribunal. (d) No Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group maintains or contributes to any Pension Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan other than those listed on Schedule 5.8(d). Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Pension Benefit Plan has incurred any “accumulated funding deficiency,” as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA and Section 412(a) of the Code, whether or not waived, and each of the Loan Parties and each member of the Controlled Group have met all applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA in respect of each Pension Benefit Plan, (ii) each Plan which is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter, or a favorable opinion letter as to its qualification under Section 401(a) of the Code and no event or circumstance has occurred which would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation of such qualified status of the form of the Plan document under the Code, (iii) no Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due which are unpaid, (iv) no Pension Benefit Plan has been terminated within the last five years by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no Loan Party knows of any facts or circumstances which would cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Benefit Plan, (v) at this time, the current value of the assets of each Pension Benefit Plan or funded Plan exceeds the present value of the accrued benefits and other liabilities of such Pension Benefit Plan or Plan and no Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group knows of any facts or circumstances which would materially change the value of such assets and accrued benefits and other liabilities, (vi) no Loan Party has breached any of the responsibilities, obligations or duties imposed on it by ERISA with respect to any Plan, (vii) no Loan Party nor any member a Controlled Group has incurred any material liability for any excise tax arising under Section 4972 or 4980B of the Code, and, no Loan Party knows of any facts or circumstances that would give rise to any such material liability, (viii) no Loan Party, and to the knowledge of any Loan Party, no fiduciary of, or trustee to, any Plan, has engaged in a “prohibited transaction” described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code nor taken any action which would constitute or result in a Termination Event with respect to any such Plan which is subject to ERISA, (ix) each Loan Party 76


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has made all contributions due and payable with respect to each Plan, (x) no Loan Party knows of any event described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA for which the thirty (30) day notice period contained in 29 CFR §2615.3 has not been waived, (xi) no Loan Party has any fiduciary responsibility for investments with respect to any plan existing for the benefit of Persons other than employees or former employees of the Loan Parties, and (xii) no Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn, completely or partially, from any Multiemployer Plan so as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980. 5.9. Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses. All material patents, patent applications, registered trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark applications, copyright registrations, copyright applications, owned by any Loan Party are set forth on Schedule 5.9, and to the knowledge of Borrower, are valid and have been duly registered or filed the USPTO or USCO, as applicable. The intellectual property rights owned by a Loan Party, together with the intellectual property rights licensed to a Loan Party, constitute all of the intellectual property rights which are necessary for the operation of its business as currently conducted. To the knowledge of Borrower, there is no objection to or pending challenge to the validity of any material patent, trademark, or copyright owned by a Loan Party, and no Loan Party is aware of any grounds for any challenge, except as set forth in Schedule 5.9, any oppositions or office actions in the USPTO, or otherwise disclosed in writing to Agent after the Closing Date. Each patent, patent application, trademark, trademark application, service mark, service mark application, copyright, and copyright application owned or held by any Loan Party and all trade secrets used by any Loan Party in each case consist of original material or property developed by such Loan Party or was lawfully acquired by such Loan Party from the proper and lawful owner thereof. Each of such items has been maintained by the Loan Parties so as to preserve the value thereof from the date of creation or acquisition thereof to the extent that the applicable Loan Party, in its reasonable business judgment, has determined that it would be commercially reasonable to do so. 5.10. Licenses and Permits. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10, each Loan Party (a) is in compliance with and (b) has procured and is now in possession of, all material governmental or regulatory licenses or permits required by any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation for the operation of its business in each jurisdiction wherein it is now conducting or proposes to conduct business except, in each case, where the failure to be in such compliance, or to procure such licenses or permits would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 5.11. No Defaults. (a) No Loan Party is in default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Material Indebtedness or under any instrument or agreement under or subject to which any Material Indebtedness has been issued and no event has occurred under the provisions of any such instrument or agreement which with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, constitutes or would constitute an event of default thereunder. (b) No Loan Party is in default in the payment or performance of any Material Contract. 77


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5.12. No Burdensome Restrictions. No Loan Party has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien which is not a Permitted Encumbrance. 5.13. No Labor Disputes. No Loan Party is involved in any labor dispute; there are no strikes or walkouts or to its knowledge any union organization campaigns of such Loan Party’s employees in existence or to its knowledge threatened and no collective bargaining, labor contract is scheduled by its terms to expire during the Term. 5.14. Margin Regulations. No Loan Party is engaged, nor will it engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the meaning of the quoted term under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect. No part of the proceeds of any Advance will be used, directly or indirectly, for “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock”, or to extend credit to others to “purchase” or “carry” any “margin stock”, as defined in Regulation U of such Board of Governors or for any other purpose that entails a violation of any Regulations of such Board of Governors, including Regulation T, U or X. 5.15. Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor is it controlled by such a company. 5.16. Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by any Loan Party in any financial statement, report, certificate or any other document furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party (other than projected financial information, pro forma financial information and information of a general economic or industry nature) to the Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (when taken as a whole), in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected and pro forma financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation and delivery; it being understood that actual results may vary from such forecasts and that such variances may be material. 5.17. Swaps. Except for Lender-Provided Hedges, no Loan Party is a party to, nor will it be a party to, any Hedging Agreement or foreign exchange transaction whereby such Loan Party has agreed or will agree to swap interest rates or currencies, other than those Hedging Agreements or foreign exchange transactions, as applicable, which have been entered into for non-speculative purposes. 78


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5.18. Conflicts. To the Loan Parties’ knowledge, no provision of any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment, decree or order binding on any Loan Party or affecting the Collateral or any provision of Applicable Law of any Governmental Body conflicts with, or requires any Consent which (1) has not already been obtained, (2) would in any way prevent the execution, delivery or performance of, the terms of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, or (3) the failure to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. 5.19. [Reserved]. 5.20. Business and Property of Loan Parties. Upon and after the Closing Date, the Loan Parties do not propose to engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business reasonably related, complementary, synergistic or ancillary thereto or reasonable extensions thereof. On the Closing Date, each Loan Party will own all the property and possess all of the rights and Consents necessary for the conduct of its business. 5.21. Material Contracts. Each Material Contract is in full force and effect and no material defaults enforceable against any Loan Party exist thereunder. No Loan Party has received written notice from any party to any such contract stating that it intends to terminate or amend such contract. 5.22. Sanctions. (a) None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any director or officer, or any employee, agent, or Affiliate, of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are, (i) the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the US Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions, including currently, the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria. (b) No Collateral is or will become property (i) in which a Sanctioned Person holds an interest; (ii) beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Sanctioned Person; (iii) that is due to or from a Sanctioned Person; (iv) that is located in a jurisdiction subject to Sanctions; or (v) that would otherwise cause any violation by a Lender of any applicable anti-terrorism law if such Lender were to obtain an Lien on such property or provide services in consideration of such property. 5.23. Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws. None of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor to the knowledge of Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate or other Person acting on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of any applicable anti-bribery law, including but not limited to, the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 (the “UK Bribery Act”) and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”). Furthermore, Borrower and, to the knowledge of Borrower, its Affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the UK Bribery Act, the FCPA and similar laws, rules or regulations and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith. 79


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5.24. [Reserved]. 5.25. Beneficial Ownership Certification. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects. VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Each Loan Party shall, until payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations), the termination of all Commitments under this Agreement, the cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement (or as otherwise acceptable to the Issuer in its sole discretion), and the termination of this Agreement: 6.1. Payment of Fees. Pay to Agent on demand all usual and customary fees and expenses which Agent incurs in connection with the forwarding of Advance proceeds and the other Transactions. Agent may, without making demand, charge Borrower’s Account for all such fees and expenses. 80


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6.2. Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence and Assets. (i) Conduct continuously and operate actively its business according to good business practices consistent with past practices and maintain all of its properties useful or necessary in its business in good working order and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted and except as may be disposed of in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), including, without limitation, all patents, copyrights, design rights, tradenames, trade secrets and trademarks and take all actions necessary to enforce and protect the validity of any intellectual property right or other right included in the Collateral, in each case, where the failure to do so would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) keep in full force and effect its existence (except to the extent not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement); (iii) comply with the laws and regulations governing the conduct of its business where the failure to do so would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, make all such reports and pay all such franchise and other Taxes and license fees and do all such other acts and things as may be lawfully required to maintain its rights, licenses, leases, powers and franchises under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof. 6.3. Violations. Promptly notify Agent in writing of any violation of any law, statute, regulation or ordinance of any Governmental Body, or of any agency thereof, applicable to (and legally binding on) Borrower or any other Loan Party which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 6.4. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of each Advance only for the purposes specified in Section 2.15. 6.5. Execution of Supplemental Instruments. Execute and deliver to Agent from time to time, promptly following demand, such reasonable supplemental agreements, statements, assignments and transfers, or instructions or documents relating to the Collateral, and such other instruments as Agent may reasonably request, and take such further action as the Agent reasonably deems necessary to perfect, protect, ensure the priority of or continue the Agent’s Lien on the Collateral in order that the full intent of this Agreement may be carried into effect. 6.6. Payment of Indebtedness. Subject at all times to any applicable subordination arrangement in favor of Agent or Lenders, pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity (subject, where applicable, to specified grace periods and, in the case of the trade payables, to normal payment practices) all its obligations and liabilities of whatever nature, except when the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or when the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have provided for such reserves as are proper and necessary in accordance with GAAP. 6.7. Standards of Financial Statements. Cause all financial statements, projections and budgets referred to in Sections 9.7, 9.8, 9.10, and 9.12 as to which GAAP is applicable to be complete and correct in all material respects (subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments) and to be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein. 6.8. Financial Covenants. 81


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(a) Interest Coverage Ratio. The Interest Coverage Ratio of Borrower, as of the end of each fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022) with respect to the four (4) fiscal quarters then ended, shall not be less than 3.00 to 1.00. (b) Total Net Leverage Ratio. The Total Net Leverage Ratio of Borrower, as of the end of each fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022) with respect to the four (4) fiscal quarters then ended, shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00. (c) Secured Net Leverage Ratio. The Secured Net Leverage Ratio of Borrower, as of the end of each fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022) with respect to the four (4) fiscal quarters then ended, shall not be greater than 2.50 to 1.00. 6.9. Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Loan Party, jointly and severally, hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by any of Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder to honor all of such Person’s obligations under this Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Loan Party shall only be liable under this Section 6.9 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 6.9, or otherwise under this Agreement, voidable under Applicable Law, including Applicable Law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Loan Party under this Section 6.9 shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Agreement shall have been paid in full in cash (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations), all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated. Each Qualified ECP Loan Party intends that this Section 6.9 constitute, and this Section 6.9 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each of Borrower and each Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. 6.10. Designation of Subsidiaries. Borrower may at any time as of or after the Closing Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary of (or acquired by) Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (unless such Restricted Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated)) or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary by written notice to the Agent; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall exist (including after giving effect to the reclassification of Investments in, Indebtedness of and Liens on the assets of, the applicable Restricted Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary), (ii) the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 shall have been met, as determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Calculation Period for which financial statements were required to have been delivered in accordance with Sections 9.7 and 9.8 after giving effect to such designation (and determined on the basis of the financial statements for the most recently-ended test period at or prior to such time), (iii) in the case of the designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such designation shall constitute an Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (calculated as an amount equal to the sum of (x) the fair market value of the Subsidiary designated immediately prior to such designation (such fair market value to be calculated without regard to any Obligations of such Subsidiary under the Guaranty) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness owed by the Subsidiary to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, all calculated, except as set forth in the parenthetical to clause (x) above, on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP), and such designation shall only be permitted to the extent such Investment is permitted under Section 7.4, (iv) immediately after giving effect to the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, Borrower shall comply with the provisions of 82


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Section 7.11 with respect to such designated Restricted Subsidiary, (v) no Restricted Subsidiary may be a Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (vi) each of (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (B) its Subsidiaries has not, at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the applicable lender has recourse to any of the assets of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary); (vii) at any time, (A) neither Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall sell, transfer or dispose of, or grant an exclusive license of, Intellectual Property of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such sale, transfer, disposition of, or the grant of an exclusive license of, Intellectual Property (1) is limited solely to Intellectual Property that is not material to the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (2) shall not materially adversely affect the design, manufacture, assembly, finishing, distribution, marketing or sale of any products or services of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (B) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or continue as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it owns, or holds an exclusive license of, Intellectual Property that is material to the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (viii) Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent and each Lender a certificate executed by its chief financial officer or treasurer, certifying to the compliance with the requirements of the preceding clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, and containing the calculations (in reasonable detail) required by the preceding clause (ii). The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of Borrower’s Investment in such Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall an Unrestricted Subsidiary be the legal owner or exclusive licensee of material Intellectual Property that is used in the business of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. 6.11. Post-Closing Obligations. Borrower shall complete the actions specified in Schedule 6.11 within the time periods specific therein, or such longer period of time that Agent may agree to in writing in its sole discretion. VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. No Loan Party shall, until payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations), the termination of all Commitments under the Agreement, the cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement (or as otherwise acceptable to the Issuer in its sole discretion), and the termination of this Agreement: 7.1. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. (a) Enter into any merger, consolidation or other reorganization with or into any other Person or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) or permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge with it; provided that (i) Restricted Subsidiaries of Borrower may merge into Borrower (so long as Borrower is the surviving entity of such merger), (ii) Loan Parties (other than Borrower) may merge into each other, and (iii) Foreign Subsidiaries may merge into each other. (b) Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets (including by an allocation of assets among newly divided limited liability companies pursuant to a “plan of division”), except (a) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (b) sales and other dispositions of assets outside of the ordinary course of business the aggregate fair market value of which in the case 83


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of this clause (b) is not to exceed the greater of (i) $40,000,000 and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets for the most recent four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered, in any fiscal year so long as, in each case, the Net Cash Proceeds of any such disposition are remitted to Agent in accordance with, and to the extent required by, Section 2.14 (collectively, “Permitted Dispositions”) (c) Grant any exclusive license under material Intellectual Property (other than licenses entered into by a Loan Party in, or incidental to, the ordinary course of business), or amend or permit the amendment of any of the licenses under which Borrower has granted rights under its material owned Intellectual Property to a third party in a manner that could reasonably be expected to materially impair, in the good faith judgment of the Agent, the value of the Intellectual Property or the Lien on and security interest in the Intellectual Property created therein hereby, without the consent of the Agent. 7.2. Creation of Liens; Negative Pledges. (a) Create or suffer to exist any Lien or transfer upon or against any property or assets of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Encumbrances, or (b) enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets now owned or hereafter acquired. 7.3. Guarantees. Become liable upon the obligations of any Person by assumption, endorsement or guaranty thereof or otherwise except (i) to Agent, Issuer and Lenders, (ii) the endorsement of checks in the ordinary course of business, (iii) guarantees existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.3(a), (iv) guarantees by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary permitted by Section 7.7, (v) the Existing Subsidiary Guarantees, (vi) unsecured guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to Permitted Indebtedness described in clause (k) of the definition thereof, (vii) unsecured guarantees arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations to purchasers in connection with Permitted Dispositions; (viii) unsecured guarantees with respect to Indebtedness of Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, to the extent that the Person that is obligated under such guaranty could have incurred such underlying Indebtedness hereunder and (ix) to the extent such guarantees constitute Indebtedness, any other guarantees constituting Permitted Indebtedness. 7.4. Investments. Directly or indirectly make any Investment, other than Permitted Investments. 84


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7.5. Sales and Lease-Backs. Become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property, plant or equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which any Loan Party (i) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), or (ii) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property, plant or equipment which has been or is to be sold or transferred by a Loan Party to any Person (other than Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in connection with such lease unless the aggregate amount of the fair market value of all assets sold or transferred in connection with all such transactions does not exceed $10,000,000. 7.6. Restricted Payments. Make any Restricted Payment except: (a) Borrower or any Subsidiary may declare and pay or make distributions that are payable solely in additional shares of its common stock (or warrants, options or other rights to acquire additional shares of its common stock); (b) any Subsidiary may declare and pay or make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party, (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may declare and pay or make Restricted Payments to any other Foreign Subsidiary or to Borrower or any Guarantor, (iii) any Immaterial Subsidiary may declare and pay or make Restricted Payments to any other Immaterial Subsidiary, and (iv) any Loan Party may declare and make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party; (c) Borrower may make non-cash repurchases or redemptions of stock or other Equity Interests in exchange for stock (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) or stock options; (d) the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments not exceeding $5,000,000 during any fiscal year, pursuant to and in accordance with equity option plans, equity award plans, or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (including non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of equity awards if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the purchase price therefor); and (e) Borrower or any Subsidiary may make other Restricted Payments: (i) so long as no Event of Default shall exist or result from the making of such Restricted Payment, in an amount not exceeding the greater of (1) $10,000,000 and (2) 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently-ended test period; and (ii) so long as (A) no Event of Default shall exist or result from the making of such Restricted Payment, (B) as of the most recently ended test period for which financial statements shall have been delivered, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Restricted Payment had been made on the first day of the relevant testing period, neither of the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio, immediately before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, exceed an amount that is 0.50:1.00 below the Total Net Leverage Ratio and Secured Net Leverage Ratio required at such time under Section 6.8, and (C) Liquidity is not less than $75,000,000 before and after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment. 85


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7.7. Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except Permitted Indebtedness. 7.8. Nature of Business. (a) Substantially change the nature of the business in which it is presently engaged (it being understood that any other businesses reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension thereof shall be permitted); nor (b) except as permitted under this Agreement, purchase or invest, directly or indirectly, in any assets or property other than (i) purchases or investments in the ordinary course of business or (ii) purchases of, or investments in, assets or property which are useful in, necessary for, or reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to, or a reasonable extension of the business. 7.9. Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or lease any property from, or sell, transfer or lease any property to, any Affiliate, or enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of business or on an arm’s-length basis on terms no less favorable than terms which would have been obtainable from a Person other than an Affiliate; (b) transactions between or among Borrower and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction), and (c) transactions expressly permitted pursuant to Section 7.6. 7.10. [Reserved]. 7.11. Subsidiaries. Form any Restricted Subsidiary unless (a) such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary or (b) to the extent such Subsidiary is not an Excluded Subsidiary, within 30 days of the date of formation of such Restricted Subsidiary, (x) such Restricted Subsidiary enters into a guaranty of the Obligations on terms acceptable to Agent and the Lenders, (y) such Restricted Subsidiary grants Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of Lenders a perfected and first priority security interest in its assets in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (z) Agent shall have received all documents, including customary legal opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent which shall cover such customary matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Section 7.11(b) and the other Loan Documents as Agent may reasonably require. 7.12. Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes. Change its fiscal year from December 31 of each calendar year or make any change (i) in accounting treatment and reporting practices except as permitted by GAAP or (ii) in tax reporting treatment except as permitted by law. 7.13. Compliance with ERISA. In each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (a) Maintain or become obligated to contribute to any Plan, other than an employee welfare plan as defined in §3(1) of ERISA or those Plans disclosed on Schedule 5.8(d). 86


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(b) Engage in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction”, as that term is defined in section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code (assuming any such prohibited transaction does not result from Lender using “plan assets” to fund any portion of the Advance). (c) Incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, any “accumulated funding deficiency”, as that term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. (d) Terminate, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to terminate, any Plan (other than an employee welfare plan as defined in § 3(1) of ERISA) where such event could result in any liability of any Loan Party or the imposition of a lien on the property of any Loan Party pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA. (e) Assume, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to assume, any obligation to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan not disclosed on Schedule 5.8(d). (f) Incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan. (g) Fail to promptly notify Agent of the occurrence of any Termination Event. (h) Fail to comply with the requirements of ERISA or the Code or other Applicable Laws in respect of any Plan. (i) Fail to meet, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to fail to meet, the minimum funding requirements under ERISA or the Code. 7.14. Amendment of Documents and Material Contracts. Amend, modify or waive any term or provision of its certificate of incorporation (or certificate of formation) or by-laws (or operating agreement) or equivalent document, any shareholders’ agreement, or Material Contract in a manner materially adverse to Agent or the Lenders taken as a whole. 7.15. Prepayment, Amendment of Indebtedness. (a) At any time, directly or indirectly, prepay any Junior Lien Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Restricted Payments to the extent permitted by Section 7.6), or repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that Borrower may refinance the Existing Convertible Notes so long as (ai) the principal amount of such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes shall not exceed the principal amount of the Existing Convertible Notes (the principal amount of such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes plus any interest capitalized in connection with such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness, the amount of prepayment premium, if any, original issue discount, if any, and reasonable fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection therewith, the “Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness”), (bii) such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes shall have a final maturity that is no earlier than the Termination Date, (ciii) such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity not less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Existing Convertible Notes, (div) such refinanced Existing Convertible Notes shall rank in right of payment no more senior than the Obligations on terms (excluding any redemption or conversion settlement provisions), taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the Agent and the Lenders than the Existing Convertible Notes, (ev) as of the date of incurring such Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, (fvi) such Refinanced 87


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Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness and any guarantees thereof shall be unsecured, (gvii) the obligors in respect of the Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness immediately prior to such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing, continuing, substituting or replacing thereof shall be the only obligors on such Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness, and (hviii) the terms and conditions (excluding as to pricing, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption or conversion settlement provisions) of any such Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries than the terms and conditions of the Existing Convertible Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, the incurrence of the First Amendment Convertible Notes comprised of Refinanced Existing Convertible Notes Indebtedness shall be deemed to comply with this Section 7.15. (b) Amend, modify, supplement, waive compliance with, or consent to noncompliance with, the ExistingFirst Amendment Convertible Notes or any agreement, certificate, document or instrument executed or delivered by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and evidencing Junior Lien Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the Obligations, unless the amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent (i) does not adversely affect Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’, as applicable, ability to pay and perform each of its Obligations at the time and in the manner set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and is not otherwise adverse to the Agent and the Lenders, and (ii) except as to the ExistingFirst Amendment Convertible Notes, is in compliance with the subordination provisions therein and any subordination agreement with respect thereto in favor of the Agent and the Lenders. 7.16. State of Organization. Change the State in which it is incorporated or otherwise organized, unless it has given Agent not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof. 7.17. Sanctions; Anti-Bribery Laws. (a) Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Advance, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the target of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Advances, whether as administrative agent, collateral agent, issuing bank, arranger, bookrunner, underwriter, advisor, investor, lender or otherwise). (b) Directly or indirectly, use any part of the proceeds of any Advance for any payments that could constitute a violation of any applicable anti-bribery law. VIII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. 8.1. Conditions to the Closing Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement and the occurrence of the Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by all Lenders of the following conditions precedent: (a) Loan Documents. Agent shall have received executed counterparts of (i) this Agreement from each Loan Party, (ii) the Guaranty from each Guarantor, (iii) the Stock Pledge Agreement from each Loan Party that is a party thereto, in each case, in form and substance reasonably 88


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satisfactory to Agent and Lenders together with the share certificates referred to in the Stock Pledge Agreement (if any) and stock powers relating thereto (if applicable), and (iv) the other Loan Documents; (b) Notes. Agent shall have received for the account of each Lender requesting a Note, a Note duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of Borrower; (c) Filings, Registrations, Recordings and Searches. Each document (including, without limitation, any UCC financing statement, termination statement or release) required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document or reasonably requested by Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create, in favor of Agent, a perfected first priority security interest in or lien upon the Collateral shall have been properly filed, registered or recorded (or duly prepared for filing, registration or recording) in each jurisdiction in which the filing, registration or recordation thereof is so required or requested. Agent shall also have received customary UCC, U.S. patent, trademark and copyright, tax, ERISA, litigation, bankruptcy and judgment lien searches (or the foreign equivalent thereof, if any) with respect to the Loan Parties in such jurisdictions as Agent shall reasonably require, and the results of such searches shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (d) Proceedings of the Loan Parties. Agent shall have received a copy of the resolutions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, of the Board of Directors (or equivalent authority) of each Loan Party authorizing (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Notes (for Borrower only) and any related agreements by each Loan Party and (ii) the granting by each Loan Party of the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral, in each case certified by an Authorized Officer of such Loan Party as of the Closing Date; and, such certificate shall state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date of such certificate; (e) Incumbency Certificates of Loan Parties. Agent shall have received a certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of such Loan Party executing this Agreement, any certificate or other documents to be delivered by it pursuant hereto, together with evidence of the incumbency of such Authorized Officer; (f) [Reserved]; (g) [Reserved]; (h) Certificates. Agent shall have received a copy of the certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization or equivalent document of each Loan Party, and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of its jurisdiction of organization together with copies of the bylaws or operating agreement or other constitutive documents, as applicable, of each Loan Party certified as accurate and complete by an Authorized Officer of such Loan Party; (i) Good Standing Certificates. Agent shall have received good standing certificates or certificates of existences (or equivalent thereof, if any) for each Loan Party dated as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date, issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or formation (to the extent applicable in such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or formation); (j) Legal Opinion. Agent shall have received a customary, executed legal opinion of Morrison Foerster LLP in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent which shall cover such customary matters incidental to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan 89


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Documents as Agent may reasonably require and each Loan Party hereby authorizes and directs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Agent and Lenders; (k) [Reserved]; (l) Solvency Certificate. Agent shall have received a solvency certificate executed by the chief financial officer of Borrower in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (m) Fees and Expenses. Agent shall have received all fees payable to Agent and Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to Article III and under the Fee Letter and all other fees and expenses incurred by Agent on or prior to the Closing Date; (n) Financial Statements. Agent shall have received (i) a copy of the Projections, (ii) the financial statements referred to in Section 5.5(d), and (iii) unaudited balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flow for Borrower for each fiscal month ended after the date of the applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (ii) above and at least 15 days before the Closing Date, which shall, in each case, be reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Lenders; (o) Indebtedness. All Indebtedness of the Loan Parties not expressly permitted hereunder shall have been terminated or contemporaneously paid in full and any Liens on the assets of the Loan Parties securing such Indebtedness shall have been terminated; (p) Insurance. Subject to Section 6.11, Agent shall have received in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, certified copies of the Loan Parties’ casualty insurance policies, together with lender’s loss payable endorsements on Agent’s standard form of lender’s loss payable endorsement naming Agent as lender loss payee, and certified copies of the Loan Parties’ liability insurance policies, together with endorsements naming Agent as a co-insured; (q) Payment Instructions. Agent shall have received written instructions from Borrower directing the application of proceeds of the initial Advances made pursuant to this Agreement; (r) Consents. Agent shall have received any and all Consents reasonably necessary to permit the effectuation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and, Agent shall have received such Consents and waivers of such third parties as may reasonably assert claims with respect to the Collateral, as Agent shall deem necessary (in its reasonable discretion); (s) No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2020, there shall not have occurred any change in the business, assets, operations, results or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; (t) Closing Certificate. Agent shall have received a closing certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower dated as of the date hereof, stating that (i) all representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date except to the extent such representations or warranties are limited by their terms to a specific date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date in all material respects 90


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(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such earlier date), (ii) the Loan Parties are on such date in compliance with all the terms and provisions set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) on such date no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result from the consummation of the Transactions, and (iv) confirming that the condition precedent set forth in clause (s) of this Section 8.1 has been satisfied; (u) Beneficial Ownership Certification. To the extent Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, if any Lender has requested, in a written notice to Borrower at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to Borrower, then such Lender shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification; and (v) Diligence. Agent shall have completed all business, legal, tax, accounting, environmental and regulatory due diligence (including, without limitation, all “know your customer” inquiries), with results reasonably satisfactory to Agent. 8.2. Conditions to Each Advance. The agreement of Lenders to make any Advance requested to be made on any date (including, without limitation, the initial Advance, but excluding Advances, the proceeds of which are to reimburse Agent for amounts drawn under a Letter of Credit), is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent as of the date such Advance is made: (a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by each Loan Party in or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date except to the extent such representations or warranties are limited by their terms to a specific date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such earlier date); (b) No Default. No Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, or would exist after giving effect to the Advances requested to be made, on such date; provided, however that with the approval of Required Lenders (or of all Lenders if required under Section 15.2(b)), Lenders, in their sole discretion, may continue to make Advances notwithstanding the existence of an Event of Default or Default and that any Advances so made shall not be deemed a waiver of any such Event of Default or Default; (c) Maximum Revolving Advances and Swingline Loans. In the case of any Revolving Advances requested to be made, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate Revolving Advances shall not exceed the maximum amount of Revolving Advances permitted under Sections 2.1 and 2.5, and in the case of any Swingline Loans requested to be made, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate 91


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outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans shall not exceed the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount; (d) Maximum Letters of Credit. In the case of any Letters of Credit requested to be made, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate face amount and reimbursement obligations outstanding in respect of Letters of Credit shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under Section 2.9; and (e) Notice of Borrowing. Agent shall have received a completed Notice of Borrowing executed by Borrower and otherwise complying with the requirements of Section 2.2. Each request for an Advance by Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower as of the date of such Advance that the conditions contained in this subsection shall have been satisfied. IX. INFORMATION AS TO LOAN PARTIES. The Loan Parties shall, until satisfaction in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations) and the termination of this Agreement: 9.1. Disclosure of Material Matters. Immediately upon learning thereof, report to Agent all matters materially affecting the value, enforceability or collectability of any portion of the Collateral including, without limitation, any Loan Party’s reclamation or repossession of, or the return to any Loan Party of, a material amount of goods or claims or disputes asserted by any customer or other obligor. 9.2. [Reserved]. 9.3. [Reserved]. 9.4. Litigation. Promptly notify Agent in writing of any litigation, suit or administrative proceeding affecting any Loan Party, whether or not the claim is covered by insurance, and of any suit or administrative proceeding, which in any such case would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 9.5. Material Occurrences. Promptly notify Agent in writing upon the occurrence of (a) any Event of Default or Default; (b) any event, development or circumstance whereby any financial statements or other reports furnished to Agent fail in any material respect to present fairly (and, solely with respect to the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 9.7 and 9.8, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) the financial condition or operating results of Loan Parties as of the date of such statements; and (c) any other development in the business or affairs of any Loan Party which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; in each case describing the nature thereof and the action such Loan Party proposes to take with respect thereto. 92


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9.6. [Reserved]. 9.7. Annual Audited Financial Statements. Furnish Agent within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower (or, if required to be filed with the SEC at an earlier date, within fifteen (15) days after any such earlier date (without giving effect to any extension permitted by the SEC)), consolidated financial statements of Borrower including, but not limited to, consolidated statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flow reflecting results of operations from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal year, and the balance sheet as at the end of such fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior practices, and in reasonable detail and reported upon without qualification (other than any such exception, qualification or explanatory paragraph that is with respect to, or resulting from, (i) an upcoming maturity date of any Advances or other Indebtedness incurred in compliance with this Agreement or (ii) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary) (a “Report”) by an independent certified public accounting firm selected by Borrower and satisfactory to Agent (the “Accountants”). In addition, the reports shall be accompanied by Compliance Certificate. 9.8. Quarterly Financial Statements. Furnish Agent within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of Borrower (or, if required to be filed with the SEC at an earlier date, within fifteen (15) days after any such earlier date (without giving effect to any extension permitted by the SEC)), the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Borrower and unaudited consolidated statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flow of Borrower reflecting results of operations from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter and for such fiscal quarter prepared on a basis consistent with prior practices and complete and correct in all material respects, subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that individually and in the aggregate are not material to the business of Borrower. Each such balance sheet, statement of income and stockholders’ equity and statement of cash flow shall set forth a comparison of the figures for (x) the current fiscal period and (y) the current year-to-date with the figures for the same fiscal period and year-to-date period of the immediately preceding fiscal year. The financial statements shall be accompanied by a Compliance Certificate. 9.9. Minimum Liquidity. Furnish Agent within fifteen (15) days of the end of each month during the Minimum Liquidity Period, a report, in a form reasonably acceptable to Agent, disclosing Liquidity as of the last day of such month. 9.9. [Reserved]. 9.10. Other Reports. Furnish Agent as soon as available, but in any event within ten (10) days after the issuance thereof, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Borrower may file or be required to file, copies of any report, filing or communication with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or with any Governmental Body that may be substituted therefor, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Agent pursuant hereto. 93


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9.11. Additional Information. Furnish Agent with such additional information as Agent shall reasonably request in order to enable Agent to determine whether the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and the Notes have been complied with by each Loan Party including, without limitation and without the necessity of any request by Agent, (a) copies of all environmental audits and reviews, (b) within thirty (30) days of any of the following: notice of any Loan Party’s opening of any new office or place of business or any Loan Party’s closing of any existing office or place of business, and (c) promptly upon any Loan Party’s learning thereof, notice of any labor dispute to which such Loan Party may become a party, any strikes or walkouts relating to any of its plants or other facilities, and the expiration of any labor contract to which any Loan Party is a party or by which any Loan Party is bound. 9.12. Projected Operating Budget. Furnish Agent, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, quarter-by-quarter consolidated and, if applicable, consolidating projected operating budgets of Borrower for such fiscal year (including a consolidated and, if applicable, consolidating income statement and cash flow statement for each quarter and a balance sheet as at the end of the last quarter and proposed business plan for such fiscal year), such projections to be accompanied by a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower to the effect that such projections have been prepared on the basis of sound financial planning practice consistent with past budgets and financial statements and that such officer has no reason to question the reasonableness of any material assumptions on which such projections were prepared. In addition, Borrower will provide Agent with such projections and business plans as and when requested by Agent in connection with any request by Borrower to increase or permanently reduce the amount of Advances available under this Agreement. 9.13. [Reserved]. 9.14. Notice of Suits, Events. Furnish Agent with prompt written notice of (i) any lapse or other termination of any Consent issued to any Loan Party by any Governmental Body or any other Person that is material to the operation of such Loan Party’s business, (ii) any refusal by any Governmental Body or any other Person to renew or extend any such Consent; and (iii) copies of any periodic or special reports filed by any Loan Party with any Governmental Body or Person, if such reports indicate any material change in the business, operations, affairs or condition of any Loan Party, or if copies thereof are requested by Agent or any Lender, (iv) copies of any material notices and other communications from any Governmental Body or Person which specifically relate to any Loan Party. 9.15. ERISA Notices and Requests. Furnish Agent with written notice promptly after any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that (i) a Termination Event has occurred, together with a written statement describing such Termination Event and the action, if any, which any Loan Party or member of the Controlled Group has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor or PBGC with respect thereto, (ii) a prohibited transaction (as defined in Sections 406 of ERISA and 4975 of the Code) has occurred, together with a written statement describing such transaction and the action which such Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, (iii) a funding waiver request has been filed with respect to any Pension Benefit Plan, together with all communications received by any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group 94


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with respect to such request, (iv) a Multiemployer Plan has been terminated or the administrator or plan sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan has provided notice to any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group of an intent to terminate a Multiemployer Plan. 9.16. [Reserved]. 9.17. [Reserved]. 9.18. Beneficial Ownership Documentation. Promptly following any request therefor, provide to Agent or any Lender information and documentation reasonably requested by Agent or any Lender for purpose of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. 9.19. [Reserved]. 9.20. Additional Documents. Execute and deliver to Agent, upon request, such documents and agreements as Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the purposes, terms or conditions of this Agreement. X. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”: 10.1. (a) Failure by Borrower to pay any principal of any Advance when due in accordance with the terms hereof; (b) failure by Borrower to pay any amount payable to Issuer when due in reimbursement of any drawing under a Letter of Credit; or (c) failure by Borrower to pay any interest or premium on any Advance, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than those specified in clauses (a) and (b) above, within three (3) Business Days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; 10.2. (i) Failure by any Loan Party to perform, keep or observe any provision of Sections 4.2(a), 4.10, 4.11, 6.2(ii) (only with respect to Borrower), 6.4, 6.8, 6.11, Article VII, 9.5(a), 9.7, 9.8, or 9.12, or (ii) any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time in connection herewith or therewith shall prove to have been misleading in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on the date when made or deemed to have been made; 10.3. [reserved]; 10.4. Issuance of a notice of Lien, levy, assessment, injunction or attachment against a material portion of any Loan Party’s property which is not stayed or lifted within sixty (60) days; 10.5. Failure or neglect of any Loan Party to perform, keep or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant contained in this Agreement, or contained in any other Loan Document, now or hereafter entered into between such Loan Party, Agent and/or any Lender (to the extent such breach is not otherwise embodied in any other provision of this Article X for which a different grace or cure period is specified or which constitute an immediate Event of Default under this Agreement or the Loan 95


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Documents), and such failure shall continue unremedied for thirty (30) days after the earlier of (x) the date on which such failure shall first become known to Borrower or (y) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrower by Agent; 10.6. Any judgment or judgments are rendered or judgment liens filed against any Loan Party for an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has not denied coverage) which within thirty (30) days of such rendering or filing is not either satisfied, stayed or discharged of record; 10.7. Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) apply for, consent to or suffer the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, liquidator or similar fiduciary of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (iv) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (v) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors, (vi) acquiesce to, or fail to have dismissed, within sixty (60) days, any petition filed against it in any involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws, or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; 10.8. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall admit in writing its inability, or be generally unable, to pay its debts as they become due or cease operations of its present business; 10.9. The validity or enforceability of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or by any Governmental Body having jurisdiction over a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall deny that such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document; 10.10. (a) Any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period), or (b) any breach or default with respect to any Material Indebtedness occurs by any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Material Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that Material Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity; 10.11. Any material provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, cease to be valid and binding on any Loan Party, or any Loan Party shall so claim in writing to Agent; 10.12. Termination or breach of any Guaranty or similar agreement executed and delivered to Agent in connection with the Obligations of Borrower, or if any Guarantor of the Obligations attempts to terminate, challenges the validity of, or its liability under, any such Guaranty or similar agreement; 10.13. Any Change of Control shall occur; 10.14. The Guaranty or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, (except to the extent of Permitted Encumbrances which are non-consensual Permitted Encumbrances, permitted purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases) first priority Lien on the Collateral covered thereby, except (a) as a result 96


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of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (b) as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent or (c) to the extent the Collateral secured thereby has a fair market value not in excess of $5.000,000. 10.15. An event or condition specified in Section 7.13 or Section 9.15 shall occur or exist with respect to any Plan and, as a result of such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group shall incur or would be reasonably likely to incur, a liability to a Plan or the PBGC (or both) which would have a Material Adverse Effect. XI. LENDERS’ RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AFTER DEFAULT. 11.1. Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of (i) an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.7 or 10.8, all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable and the obligation of Lenders to make Advances shall be deemed terminated, or (ii) the other Events of Default specified in Article X, and at any time thereafter (such Event of Default not having previously been waived in accordance with this Agreement), Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) (and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall) upon written notice to the Loan Parties, declare all of the Obligations immediately due and payable and terminate this Agreement and terminate the obligation of Lenders to make Advances and (iii) a filing of a petition against any Loan Party in any involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws, the obligation of Lenders to make Advances hereunder shall be terminated other than as may be required by an appropriate order of the bankruptcy court having jurisdiction over the Loan Parties. Upon the occurrence and continuation of any Event of Default, Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all other rights and remedies provided for herein, under the UCC and at law or equity generally, including, without limitation, the right to foreclose the security interests granted herein and to realize upon any Collateral by any available judicial procedure and/or to take possession of and sell any or all of the Collateral with or without judicial process. In furtherance of such exercise Agent may enter any Loan Party’s premises or other premises without legal process and without incurring liability to such Loan Party therefor, and Agent may thereupon, or at any time thereafter, in its discretion without notice or demand, take the Collateral and remove the same to such place as Agent may deem advisable and Agent may require such Loan Party to make the Collateral available to Agent at a convenient place. With or without having the Collateral at the time or place of sale, Agent may sell the Collateral, or any part thereof, at public or private sale, at any time or place, in one or more sales, at such price or prices, and upon such terms, either for cash, credit or future delivery, as Agent may elect. Except as to that part of the Collateral which is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, Agent shall give the Loan Parties reasonable notification of such sale or sales, it being agreed that in all events written notice mailed to the Loan Parties at least ten (10) days prior to such sale or sales is reasonable notification. At any public sale Agent or any Lender may bid for and become the purchaser, and Agent, any Lender or any other purchaser at any such sale thereafter shall hold the Collateral sold absolutely free from any claim or right of whatsoever kind, including any equity of redemption and such right and equity are hereby expressly waived and released by each Loan Party. Agent may specifically disclaim any warranties of title or the like at any sale of Collateral. In connection with and solely during the duration of the exercise of the foregoing remedies, Agent is granted permission to use without charge all of each Loan Party’s trademarks, trade styles, trade names, patents, patent applications, and other proprietary rights which are used in connection with the foregoing. 11.2. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds realized from the sale of any Collateral shall be applied as follows: first, to the reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by Agent for collection and for 97


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acquisition, completion, protection, removal, storage, sale and delivery of the Collateral and for any other amounts due to Agent; second, to interest due upon any of the Swingline Loans; third, to the principal of the Swingline Loans; fourth, to fees payable in connection with this Agreement; fifth, to interest due upon any of the Obligations; sixth, ratably, to (i)furnish to Agent cash collateral in an amount not less than 105% of the Letter of Credit Reserve, such cash collateral arrangements to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and (ii) ratably, to the principal of the Obligations, including Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations up to any including the amount most recently provided to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.17; and seventh, ratably, to the other Obligations. All such payments hereunder shall be shared ratably among the Lenders holding such Obligations based upon their respective Commitment Percentages. If any deficiency shall arise, each Loan Party shall remain liable to Agent and Lenders therefor. If it is determined by an authority of competent jurisdiction that a disposition by Agent did not occur in a commercially reasonable manner, Agent may obtain a deficiency judgment for the difference between the amount of the Obligation and the amount that a commercially reasonable sale would have yielded. Agent will not be considered to have offered to retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations unless Agent, subject to Section 15.2(b) hereof, has entered into a written agreement with Loan Parties to that effect. 11.3. Agent’s Discretion. Agent (acting with the consent of the Required Lenders or all Lenders to the extent required by Section 15.2(b)) shall have the right in its sole discretion to determine which rights, Liens, security interests or remedies Agent may at any time pursue, relinquish, subordinate, or modify or to take any other action with respect thereto and such determination will not in any way modify or affect any of Agent’s or Lenders’ rights hereunder; provided, however, that, in the absence of such direction, Agent may (but shall not be obligated or have any duty to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to any Event of Default as it shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Lenders and the Issuer and solely to the extent permitted hereunder or pursuant to the other Loan Documents; provided, further, that Agent shall not be obligated to follow any direction by Required Lenders if Agent reasonably determines that such direction is in conflict with any provisions hereunder or under any Applicable Law, and Agent shall not, under any circumstances, be liable to any Lenders, the Issuer, Borrower, the Guarantors or any other Person for following the direction of Required Lenders. At all times, if Agent acting at the direction of the Required Lenders advises the Lenders that it wishes to proceed in good faith with respect to any of its rights and remedies, each of the Lenders will cooperate in good faith with respect to such rights and remedies and will not unreasonably delay the enforcement of the security interests provided for herein. 11.4. Setoff. In addition to any other rights which Agent, any Lender or the Issuer may have under Applicable Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default hereunder, Agent, such Lender and such Issuer and their Affiliates shall have a right to apply any Loan Party’s property held by Agent, such Lender or such Issuer and their Affiliates to reduce the Obligations. If any party (or its Affiliate) exercises the right of setoff provided for hereunder, such party shall be obligated to share any such setoff in accordance with Section 2.13(d). 11.5. Rights and Remedies Not Exclusive. The authority to enforce rights and remedies under this Agreement and other Loan Documents against Borrower or any Guarantor shall be vested in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained by, Agent for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuer. The enumeration of the foregoing rights and remedies is not intended to be 98


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exhaustive and the exercise of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedies provided for herein or otherwise provided by Applicable Law, all of which shall be cumulative and not alternative. XII. WAIVERS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 12.1. Waiver of Notice. Each Loan Party hereby waives notice of non-payment of any of the Receivables, demand, presentment, protest and notice thereof with respect to any and all instruments, notice of acceptance hereof, notice of loans or advances made, credit extended, Collateral received or delivered, or any other action taken in reliance hereon, and all other demands and notices of any description, except such as are expressly provided for herein to the extent not prohibited by law. 12.2. Delay. No delay or omission on Agent’s or any Lender’s part in exercising any right, remedy or option shall operate as a waiver of such or any other right, remedy or option or of any default. 12.3. Jury Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (A) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR (B) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE AND EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. XIII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION. 13.1. Term. This Agreement, which shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of each Loan Party, Agent and each Lender, shall become effective on the date hereof and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Borrower may permanently reduce the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount, at any time upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to Agent, upon payment in full in cash of any Obligations in excess of the maximum amount of Revolving Advances then permitted under Section 2.1 and payment of all amounts which may be owed pursuant to Section 15.5(b), after giving effect to the reduced Maximum Revolving Advance Amount; provided that the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount may not be reduced to an amount less 99


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than $25,000,000 except in connection with the termination of all Commitments and the payment in full in cash of all Obligations. 13.2. Termination. The termination of the Agreement shall not affect any Loan Party’s, Agent’s or any Lender’s rights, or any of the Obligations having their inception prior to the effective date of such termination, and the provisions hereof shall continue to be fully operative until all transactions entered into, rights or interests created or Obligations have been fully disposed of, concluded or liquidated. The security interests, Liens and rights granted to Agent and Lenders hereunder and the financing statements filed hereunder shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement or the fact that Borrower’s Account may from time to time be temporarily in a zero or credit position, until all of the Obligations of the Loan Parties have been paid or performed in full after the termination of this Agreement or the Loan Parties have furnished Agent and Lenders with an indemnification satisfactory to Agent and Lenders with respect thereto. Accordingly, each Loan Party waives any rights which it may have under Section 9-513(c) of the UCC to demand the filing of termination statements with respect to the Collateral, and Agent shall not be required to send such termination statements to any Loan Party, or to file them with any filing office, unless and until this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms and all Obligations (other than Obligations exclusively with respect to the Letter of Credit Reserve if Borrower shall have furnished Agent with cash collateral in an amount not less than 105% of the Letter of Credit Reserve) paid in full in cash in immediately available funds. All representations, warranties, covenants, waivers and agreements contained herein or in any Loan Document shall survive termination hereof until all Obligations are paid or performed in full in cash, as such representations and warranties may change from time to time as contemplated in Section 8.2. XIV. REGARDING AGENT. 14.1. Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and designates HSBC to act as Agent for such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and Agent shall hold all Collateral, payments of principal and interest, fees (except the fees set forth in Section 3.4 and the Fee Letter), charges and collections (without giving effect to any collection days) received pursuant to this Agreement, for the ratable benefit of Lenders. Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including without limitation, collection of the Notes), Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders or all Lenders to the extent required under Section 15.2(b), and such instructions shall be binding; provided, however, that Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of a property interest in violation of any applicable bankruptcy/insolvency laws and Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it first receives further assurances of its indemnification from the Lenders that Agent reasonably believes it may require, including prepayment of any related expenses and any other protection it requires against any and all 100


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costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur in taking or continuing to take any such discretionary action at the direction of the Required Lenders. Unless otherwise consented to in writing by Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders), no Lender or Issuer, individually or together with any other Lenders or the Issuer, shall have the right, nor shall it, exercise or enforce any of the rights, powers or remedies which Agent is authorized to exercise or enforce under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. 14.2. Nature of Duties. Agent shall have no duties, obligations or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, any security agreements, documents or instruments executed in connection therewith, and its duties thereunder shall be administrative in nature only, whether or not a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. None of Agent, any Lender, or the Issuer nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted by them as such hereunder or in connection herewith, unless caused by their gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment), or (ii) responsible in any manner for (A) any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or in any of the Loan Documents, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or (B) the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or of the Collateral held by Agent hereunder, (C) any failure of any Loan Party to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (D) the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on Agent’s part hereunder, or (E) the validity of the title of Borrower to the Collateral, insuring the Collateral or the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. Agent shall not be responsible for, have any duty or be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with the Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the observance or performance of any of the covenants or agreements contained in, or terms or conditions of, this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, including the satisfaction of any conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to Agent, or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party. Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents, any information relating to Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Agent shall not be liable for any damages arising for the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby. In no event shall Agent be required to expend or risk any of its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of its duties under the Loan Documents or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. The duties of Agent as with respect to the Advances shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any 101


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Lender; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein. Use of the term “agent” in the Agreement or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to Agent does not connote (and is not intended to connote), any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligation arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between the contracting parties. Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of Agent (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or Governmental Body, any act of God or war, civil unrest, local or national disturbance or disaster, any act of terrorism, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility). 14.3. Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation. (a) Independently and without reliance upon Agent, the Issuer or any other Lender, each Lender has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each Loan Party in connection with the making and the continuance of the Advances hereunder and the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Loan Party. Except as set forth in Section 14.9, Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before making of the Advances or at any time or times thereafter. Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any agreement, document, certificate or a statement delivered in connection with or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or of the financial condition of any Loan Party, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement, the Notes, the Loan Documents or the financial condition of any Loan Party, or the existence of any Event of Default or any Default. (b) Any entity into which Agent in its individual capacity may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidations which Agent in its individual capacity may be party, or any corporation to which substantially all of the corporate trust or agency business of Agent in its individual capacity may be transferred, shall be Agent under this Agreement without further action. (c) Agent may at any time resign on thirty (30) days’ written notice to each of Lenders, the Issuer and Borrower (the “Resignation Effective Date”) and upon such resignation, the Required Lenders will promptly designate a successor Agent reasonably satisfactory to Borrower. If no such successor Agent is appointed at the end of such thirty (30) day period, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) designate one of the Lenders as a successor Agent, subject to the acceptance of such Lender; provided that, if no Lender accepts appointment as a successor Agent, then Agent shall be entitled to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent or for other appropriate relief. The costs and expenses (including its’ attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by the Lenders. (d) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date, (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents and (ii) 102


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except for any indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuer directly, until such time, if any, a successor Agent has been appointed as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments owed to the retiring Agent). Until a successor Agent is appointed, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold the Liens on the Collateral on behalf of the Lenders, Issuer and Swingline Lender, but otherwise shall be discharged from all of its other duties and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents as of the Resignation Effective Date. Notwithstanding the Resignation Effective Date, all rights of the retiring Agent (and any sub-agent) to indemnification by Borrower and Lenders shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their Indemnitees in respect of any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent. After Agent’s resignation as Agent, the provisions of this Article XIV shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. 14.4. Certain Rights of Agent. If Agent shall request instructions from Lenders with respect to any act or action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received written instructions from the Required Lenders; and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, Lenders shall not have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of its acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders or all Lenders as required by Section 15.2(b). Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary power, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Agreement that Agent is required to exercise and only so long as so directed in writing to take such discretionary action by the Required Lenders provided, however, that Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of a property interest in violation of any applicable bankruptcy/insolvency laws and Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act under the Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it first receives further assurances of its indemnification from the Lenders that Agent reasonably believes it may require, including prepayment of any related expenses and any other protection it requires against any and all costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur in taking or continuing to take any such discretionary action at the direction of the Required Lenders. 14.5. Reliance. Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, request, consent, statement, certificate, instrument, teletype, cablegram, order, document or other writing (including any electronic or telecopier message, internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) in good faith believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or entity, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its duties hereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it. Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition to the making of any 103


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Advance, Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuer unless Agent receives notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuer prior to the making of such Advance. Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by Agent. Agent and any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the Agreement shall apply to any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent or attorney-in-fact except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact. Agent shall be entitled to take any action or refuse to take any action which Agent regards as necessary for Agent to comply with any Applicable Law, regulation or court order. Agent may consult with legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. 14.6. Notice of Default. Except for actual knowledge of non-payment of the Obligations, Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder or under the Loan Documents, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders, unless Agent has received written notice from a Lender or any Loan Party referring to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default” or “notice of event of default”. In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to Lenders. Agent may take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default (including, without limitation, the institution of the Default Rate pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof) as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents; provided that, unless and until Agent shall have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default (including, without limitation, the institution of the Default Rate pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof) as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of Lenders. 14.7. Indemnification. To the extent Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Loan Parties for any amount required under Section 15.5(a) to be paid by the Loan Parties to Agent, each Lender will severally reimburse and indemnify Agent in proportion to its respective portion of the Advances (or, if no Advances are outstanding, according to its Commitment Percentage), for such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender); provided that Lenders shall not be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the indemnified party’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment); and provided further, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against Agent in its capacity as such. 104


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14.8. Agent in its Individual Capacity. With respect to the obligation of Agent to lend under this Agreement, the Advances made by it shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and as if it were not performing the duties as Agent specified herein; and the term “Lender” or any similar term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender. Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from the Loan Parties for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders. Each Loan Party agrees to pay to Agent, for each of their own account, the fees payable in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letter. 14.9. Delivery of Documents. To the extent Agent receives documents and information from the Loan Parties pursuant to Sections 9.7, 9.8, and 9.12, Agent will promptly furnish such documents and information to Lenders. 14.10. Loan Parties’ Undertaking to Agent. Without prejudice to its obligations to Lenders under the other provisions of this Agreement, each Loan Party hereby undertakes with Agent to pay to Agent from time to time on demand all amounts from time to time due and payable by it for the account of Agent or Lenders or any of them pursuant to this Agreement to the extent not already paid. Any payment made pursuant to any such demand shall pro tanto satisfy such Loan Party’s obligations to make payments for the account of Lenders or the relevant one or more of them pursuant to this Agreement. 14.11. Bankruptcy Proceedings. In case of any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding involving Borrower (a “Bankruptcy Proceeding”), Agent shall be entitled, but not obligated to, to intervene in such Bankruptcy Proceeding to (a) file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal, interest and unpaid fees in respect of the Revolving Advances, issued Letters of Credit and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid under the terms of this Agreement and other Loan Documents and to file such documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuer and Agent (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of any of the foregoing entities and their respective agents, counsel and other advisors) allowed in such Bankruptcy Proceedings; and (b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on account of any such claims and to distribute the same to the Lenders and the Issuer under the terms of this Agreement. Further, any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator or similar official in any such Bankruptcy Proceeding is (i) authorized to make payments or distributions in a Bankruptcy Proceeding directly to Agent on behalf of all of the Lenders or the Issuer to whom any amounts are owed under this Agreement and other Loan Documents, unless Agent expressly consents in writing to the making of such payments or distributions directly to such Lenders and the Issuer; and (ii) required to pay to Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to Agent under this Agreement and other Loan Documents. 14.12. No Liability for Clean-Up of Hazardous Materials. In the event that Agent is required to acquire title to an asset for any reason, or take any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto, in order to carry out any obligation for the benefit of 105


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another, which in Agent’s sole discretion may cause Agent to be considered an “owner or operator” under the provisions of CERCLA, or otherwise cause Agent to incur liability under CERCLA or any other federal, state or local law, Agent reserves the right, instead of taking such action, to either resign as Agent or arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court-appointed receiver. Except for such claims or actions arising directly from the gross negligence, or willful misconduct of Agent, Agent shall not be liable to any Person or entity for any environmental claims or contribution actions under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by reason of Agent’s actions and conduct as authorized, empowered and directed hereunder, including in or relating to the discharge, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances into the environment. If at any time after any foreclosure on the Collateral (or a transfer in lieu of foreclosure) upon the exercise of remedies in accordance with the terms of this Agreement it is necessary or advisable to take possession, own, operate or manage any portion of the Collateral by any Person or entity other than Borrower, Agent shall appoint an appropriately qualified Person to possess, own, operate or manage such Collateral. 14.13. Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true: (i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Advances, the Commitments or this Agreement, (ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Advances, the Commitments and this Agreement, (iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Advances, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Advances, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Advances, the Commitments and this Agreement, or (iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender. (b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and 106


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covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Advances, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by Agent under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto). 14.14. Rates. The interest rate on an Advance denominated in Dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 3.8 provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Benchmark, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Benchmark or any other Benchmark including any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service. 14.15. Erroneous Payments. (a) If Agent (x) notifies a Lender, Issuer or secured party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuer or secured party (any such Lender, Issuer, secured party or other recipient (and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns), a “Payment Recipient”) that Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Issuer, secured party or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 14.15 and held in trust for the benefit of Agent, and such Lender, Issuer or secured party shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) 107


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promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days thereafter (or such later date as Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. (b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender, Issuer, secured party or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuer or secured party (and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns), agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender, Issuer or secured party, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case: (i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and (ii) such Lender, Issuer or secured party shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within two (2) Business Days of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying Agent pursuant to this Section 14.15(b). (c) Each Lender, Issuer or secured party hereby authorizes Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, Issuer or secured party under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by Agent to such Lender, Issuer or secured party under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a). For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to Agent pursuant to this Section 14.15(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 14.15(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made. (d) (i)(i) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by 108


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the parties hereto), (A) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Advances (but not its Commitments) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Advances (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver a Commitment Transfer Supplement (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating a Commitment Transfer Supplement by reference pursuant to an applicable electronic platform as to which Agent and such parties are participants) with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Advances to Borrower or Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) Agent and Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Advances subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. (ii) Subject to Section 15.3 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from Borrower or otherwise)), Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Advances acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Advance (or portion thereof), and Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by Agent on or with respect to any such Advances acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Advances are then owned by Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time. (e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuer or secured party, to the rights and interests of such Lender, Issuer or secured party, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Loan Parties’ Obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such Obligations in respect of Advances that have been assigned to Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section 14.15 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect 109


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of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by Agent from Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment. (f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, or waiver of, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. (g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 14.15 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any other Loan Document. 14.16. Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners. Each of the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, in such capacities, shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility, or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to it in its capacity as a Lender, as Agent, as Swingline Lender, or as Issuer. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, in such capacities, shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or any Loan Party. Each Lender, Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuer, and each Loan Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Joint Lead Arrangers, Joint Bookrunners, in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder. Each of the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, in such capacities, shall be entitled to resign at any time by giving notice to Agent and Borrower. XV. MISCELLANEOUS. 15.1. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applied to contracts to be performed wholly within the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principals except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. Any judicial proceeding brought by or against any Loan Party with respect to any of the Obligations, this Agreement or any related agreement may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the County of New York, State of New York, United States of America, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Loan Party accepts for itself and in connection with its properties, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement. Each Loan Party hereby waives right to personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process may be made by registered mail (return receipt requested) directed to such Loan Party at its address set forth in Section 15.6 and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so deposited in the mails of the United States of America. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Agent or any Lender to bring proceedings against any Loan Party in the courts of any other jurisdiction. Each Loan Party waives any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. Any judicial proceeding by any Loan Party against Agent or any Lender involving, directly or indirectly, any 110


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matter or claim in any way arising out of, related to or connected with this Agreement or any related agreement, shall be brought only in a federal or state court located in the County of New York, State of New York. 15.2. Entire Understanding; Amendments. (a) This Agreement and the documents executed concurrently herewith contain the entire understanding between the Loan Parties, Agent and each Lender and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof. Any promises, representations, warranties or guarantees not herein contained and hereinafter made shall have no force and effect unless in writing, signed by each Loan Party’s, Agent’s and each Lender’s respective officers. Neither this Agreement nor any portion or provisions hereof may be changed, modified, amended, waived, supplemented, discharged, cancelled or terminated orally or by any course of dealing, or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing, signed by the party to be charged. Each Loan Party acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel in connection with the execution of this Agreement and Loan Documents and is not relying upon oral representations or statements inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. (b) The Required Lenders, Agent with the consent in writing of the Required Lenders, and the Loan Parties may, subject to the provisions of this Section 15.2(b), from time to time enter into written supplemental agreements to this Agreement or the Loan Documents executed by the Loan Parties, for the purpose of adding or deleting any provisions or otherwise changing, varying or waiving in any manner the rights of Lenders, Agent or any Loan Party thereunder or the conditions, provisions or terms thereof or waiving any Event of Default thereunder, but only to the extent specified in such written agreements; provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall: (A) without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby: (i) increase the Commitment Percentage or the Commitment of any Lender; (ii) increase the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount (except, for the avoidance of doubt, for any increase to the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount resulting from, and in accordance with, the provisions of Section 2.4); (iii) extend the maturity of any Note or the due date for any amount payable hereunder, or decrease the rate of interest or reduce any scheduled principal payment, fee or any other amount payable by any Loan Party to Lenders pursuant to this Agreement (it being understood that a waiver of any Default, Event of Default or mandatory prepayment shall not constitute a reduction of the rate of interest or reduction of any principal payment, fee or other amount payable by any Loan Party); (iv) alter the definition of the term Required Lenders or alter, amend or modify or waive any provision of this Section 15.2(b), including, without limitation, eliminating or reducing the voting rights of the Lenders under this Section 15.2(b); (v) other than in connection with a merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents, release any Borrower from any obligation for the payment of money or 111


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consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its rights or duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; (vi) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from their obligations under the applicable Guaranty executed by such Guarantor; (vii) amend, modify or waive the pro rata requirements of Section 2.13 or Section 11.2 or any other provision of the Loan Documents requiring pro rata treatment of the Lenders; or (viii) [reserved]; or (B) without the consent of Agent, alter, amend, modify or waive the rights or duties of Agent; (C) without the consent of the Issuer, alter, amend, modify or waive the rights or duties of such Issuer; and (D) without the consent of Swingline Lender, alter, amend, modify or waive the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender or increase the Maximum Swingline Loan Amount. Any such supplemental agreement shall apply equally to each Lender and shall be binding upon each Loan Party, Lenders and Agent and all future holders of the Obligations. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, Agent and Lenders shall be restored to their former positions and rights, and any Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing, but no waiver of a specific Event of Default shall extend to any subsequent Event of Default (whether or not the subsequent Event of Default is the same as the Event of Default which was waived), or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) In the event a Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, then Borrower may, at its option, require such Lender to assign its Commitment Percentage of the Advances to HSBC (with HSBC’s consent) or to another Lender (with such Lender’s consent) or to any other Person that shall assume such obligations (the “Designated Lender”), for a price equal to the then outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and fees and all other Obligations due such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which interest and fees shall be paid in full at the time of such assignment. In the event Borrower elects to require any Lender to assign its interest to HSBC or to the Designated Lender, Borrower will so notify such Lender in writing within forty five (45) days following such Lender’s denial, and such Lender will assign its interest to HSBC or the Designated Lender no later than five (5) days following receipt of such notice pursuant to a Commitment Transfer Supplement executed by such Lender, HSBC or the Designated Lender, as appropriate, and Agent. 15.3. Successors and Assigns; Participations; New Lenders. (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Loan Party, Agent, each Lender, all future holders of the Obligations and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that no Loan Party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent and each Lender. (b) Each Loan Party acknowledges that in the regular course of commercial banking business one or more Lenders may at any time and from time to time sell participating interests in the Advances to Participants (other than Disqualified Institutions). Each Participant may exercise all rights 112


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of payment (including without limitation rights of set-off) with respect to the portion of such Advances held by it or other Obligations payable hereunder as fully as if such Participant were a Lender and the direct holder of such Advance provided that Borrower shall not be required to pay to any Participant more than the amount which it would have been required to pay to Lender which granted an interest in its Advances or other Obligations payable hereunder to such Participant had such Lender retained such interest in the Advances hereunder or other Obligations payable hereunder and in no event shall Borrower be required to pay any such amount arising from the same circumstances and with respect to the same Advances or other Obligations payable hereunder to both such Lender and such Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, each Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.10 unless such Participant complies with Section 3.10(g) as if it were a Lender. Each Loan Party hereby grant to any Participant a continuing security interest in any deposits, moneys or other property actually or constructively held by such Participant as security for the Participant’s interest in the Advances. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent of the Participant, any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than any amendment, modification or waiver of the type specified in clause (i), (iv) or (vi) of Section 15.2(b) as it relates to Participant’s interest in the Obligations. Each Lender that sells participations to a Participant, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amount of and interest owing with respect to the participation sold to each such Participant (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c)of the U.S. Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive (absent manifest error), and Borrower and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in such Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a participant for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as such) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. (c) Any Lender may, with the consent of Agent and Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, sell, assign or transfer all or any part of its rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to another Lender or to one or more additional banks or financial institutions (other than Disqualified Institutions) and one or more additional banks or financial institutions may commit to make Advances hereunder (each a “Purchasing Lender”), in minimum amounts of not less than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, pursuant to a Commitment Transfer Supplement, executed by a Purchasing Lender, the transferor Lender, and Agent and delivered to Agent for recording; provided that no assignment shall be made to (i) a Loan Party or any of a Loan Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (ii) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii) (provided that Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Agent within 10 Business Days after having received notice thereof). The consent of Agent and Borrower shall not be required in the case of an assignment by a Lender to another Lender or to an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (each, an “Eligible Assignee”), and the consent of Borrower shall not be required at any time that an Event of Default under Sections 10.1, 10.7, or 10.8 has occurred and is continuing hereunder. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the transfer effective date determined pursuant to such Commitment Transfer Supplement, (i) Purchasing Lender thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such Commitment Transfer Supplement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder with a Commitment Percentage as set forth therein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such obligations under Section 3.10(g)), and (ii) the transferor Lender thereunder 113


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shall, to the extent provided in such Commitment Transfer Supplement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement, the Commitment Transfer Supplement creating a novation for that purpose. Such Commitment Transfer Supplement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the resulting adjustment of the Commitment Percentages arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Loan Party hereby consents to the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the resulting adjustment of the Commitment Percentages arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Loan Party shall execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things in order to effectuate the foregoing. (d) Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain at its address an electronic or written record (the “Register”) in which it will record (i) the names and addresses of the Lenders (including Purchasing Lenders) and (ii) the amount of each Advance and amounts owing to each Lender from time to time and (iii) all amounts received by Agent hereunder from Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof. Agent will also maintain at its address a copy of each Commitment Transfer Supplement delivered to it, and no Commitment Transfer Supplement will be effective until it is recorded in the Register. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and Borrower, Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Advance recorded therein for the purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Agent shall receive a fee in the amount of $3,500 (which may be waived or reduced at the sole discretion of the Agent) payable by the applicable Purchasing Lender upon the effective date of each transfer or assignment to such Purchasing Lender except in connection with any assignments by a Lender to an Affiliate of such Lender or to another Lender. If either the assigning Lender or the Purchasing Lender shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement, Agent shall have no obligation to accept such assignment and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph. (e) Each Loan Party authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant or Purchasing Lender and any prospective Participant or Purchasing Lender any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning such Loan Party which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of such Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of such Loan Party so long as such Participant, Purchasing Lender or prospective Participant or Purchasing Lender agrees to abide by the provisions of Section 15.15. (f) Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.24, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law; provided, that no such pledge shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. 15.4. Application of Payments. Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply or reverse and re-apply any payment and any and all proceeds of Collateral to any portion of the Obligations. To the extent that any Loan 114


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Party makes a payment or Agent or any Lender receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral for such Loan Party’s benefit, which are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver, custodian or any other party under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then, to such extent, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived (as to each Lender based upon its Commitment Percentage of any such Obligations) and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Agent or such Lender. 15.5. Indemnity; Funding Losses. (a) Each Loan Party shall indemnify Agent, the Issuer, each Lender and each of their respective officers, directors, Affiliates, advisors, employees, partners, trustees, administrators, managers, counsel, representatives, advisors and agents (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) from and against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent, such Issuer or any Lender by any Person (including Borrower or any Guarantor) in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents contemplated thereby, (ii) the performance by an Indemnitee of its respective obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents; (iii) consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby; (iv) environmental claims and liabilities; or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Borrower or any Guarantor, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, subject to the condition that claims or losses on which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee not arise by such Indemnitee’s own willful misconduct, bad faith, or gross negligence as determined by final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. (b) In the event that (i) any payment of a SOFR Loan is required, made or permitted on a date other than the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto (including upon demand by a Lender), (ii) the conversion of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iii) the failure to convert, continue, borrow or prepay any SOFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for any loss, cost and expense attributable to such event, including any loss, cost or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds. A certificate of a Lender delivered to the Borrower and setting forth any amount or amounts that any Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this paragraph shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay any Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate upon demand. (c) In connection with the issuance of any Letter of Credit, each Loan Party shall indemnify, save and hold Agent, each Lender and the Issuer harmless from any loss, cost, expense or liability, including, without limitation, any claims, damages, costs and expenses, and other payments made by Agent, any Lender or the Issuer and expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees (limited to one outside counsel for the Agent, Issuer and Lenders and, if reasonably necessary, a single local counsel in each jurisdiction for which local counsel is reasonably deemed necessary) incurred by Agent, any Lender or the Issuer arising out of, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit to be issued or created for Borrower. 115


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15.6. Notice. Any notice or request hereunder may be given to any Loan Party or to Agent or any Lender at their respective addresses set forth below or at such other address as may hereafter be specified in a notice designated as a notice of change of address under this Section 15.6. Any notice or request hereunder shall be given by (a) hand delivery, (b) overnight courier, (c) registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (d) telecopy to the number set out below (or such other number as may hereafter be specified in a notice designated as a notice of change of address) with electronic confirmation of its receipt. Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed given (a) when personally delivered to any officer of the party to whom it is addressed, (b) on the earlier of actual receipt thereof or three (3) days following posting thereof by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or (c) upon actual receipt thereof when sent by a recognized overnight delivery service or (d) upon actual receipt thereof when sent by telecopier to the number set forth below with electronic confirmation of its receipt, in each case addressed to each party at its address set forth below or at such other address as has been furnished in writing by a party to the other by like notice: (A) If to Agent or HSBC: HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as Agent 452 Fifth Avenue New York, NY, 10018 Attention: Loan Agency Email: ctlany.loanagency@us.hsbc.comctlany.loanagency@us. hsbc.com with copies to: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 101 Park Avenue New York, NY 10178 Attention: Rick Denhup Phone: (212) 309-6187 Email: rick.denhup@morganlewis.comrick.denhup@morganle wis.com (B) If to any other Lender, as specified on the signature pages hereof. (C) If to any Loan Party: Veeco Instruments Inc. 1 Terminal Drive Plainview, NY 11803 Attention: John P. Kiernan Email: Jkiernan@veeco.com with copies to: Veeco Instruments Inc. 1 Terminal Drive Plainview, NY 11803 Attention: Kirk Mackey; Jodie Rocco Email: kirk.mackey@veeco.com; jrocco@veeco.com with a further copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Morrison & Foerster LLP 116


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425 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105 Attention: Dario D. Avram Email: DarioAvram@mofo.com 15.7. Survival. The obligations of each Loan Party under Sections 2.11, 3.6, 3.8 and 15.5 and of Lenders under Section 14.7 shall survive termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and all Commitments, the resignation and removal of Agent, and payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Lender-Provided Hedges and Bank Product Obligations). 15.8. Severability. If any part of this Agreement is contrary to, prohibited by, or deemed invalid under Applicable Laws or regulations, such provision shall be inapplicable and deemed omitted to the extent so contrary, prohibited or invalid, but the remainder hereof shall not be invalidated thereby and shall be given effect so far as possible. 15.9. Expenses. All reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agent and Lenders, including, without limitation: (a) reasonable attorneys’ fees, charges and disbursements (limited to one outside counsel for the Agent and Lenders and, if reasonably necessary, a single local counsel in each jurisdiction for which local counsel is reasonably deemed necessary) incurred by Agent and, with respect to clause (iv) below, the applicable Lenders, and with respect to clause (vi) below, the applicable Lenders solely to the extent such Lenders are represented by the same counsel, and with respect to clause (vii) below, the Issuer, (i) in all efforts made to enforce payment of any Obligation or effect collection of any Collateral, or (ii) in connection with the entering into, modification, amendment and administration of this Agreement or any consents or waivers hereunder and all related agreements, documents and instruments (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated), or (iii) in instituting, maintaining, preserving, enforcing and foreclosing on Agent’s security interest in or Lien on any of the Collateral, whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise, or (iv) in defending or prosecuting any actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to Agent’s or any Lender’s transactions with the Loan Parties, or (v) in connection with any advice given to Agent with respect to its rights and obligations under this Agreement and all related agreements, (vi) in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or any consent or waivers hereunder and all related agreements, documents and instruments or (vii) in connection with the issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, in each case, whether before or after a Default or Event of Default has occurred under any of the Loan Documents, relating to a workout, restructuring, or other negotiations with the Loan Parties in respect of such rights, obligations and transactions arising under the Loan Documents; and (b) reasonable fees and disbursements incurred by Agent or Agent on behalf of Lenders in connection with any appraisals of Inventory or other Collateral, field examinations, collateral 117


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analysis or monitoring or other business analysis conducted by outside Persons in connection with this Agreement and all related agreements; may be charged to Borrower’s Account and shall be part of the Obligations. 15.10. Injunctive Relief. Each Loan Party recognizes that, in the event such Loan Party fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to Lenders; therefore, Agent, if Agent so requests, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving that actual damages are not an adequate remedy. 15.11. Consequential Damages. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NONE OF AGENT, THE ISSUER, ANY LENDER, NOR ANY AGENT OR ATTORNEY FOR ANY OF THEM, SHALL BE LIABLE TO ANY LOAN PARTY FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (AS OPPOSED TO DIRECT OR ACTUAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE USE OF PROCEEDS THEREOF AND FROM ANY BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHER WRONG RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR COLLECTION OF THE OBLIGATIONS. 15.12. Captions. The captions at various places in this Agreement are intended for convenience only and do not constitute and shall not be interpreted as part of this Agreement. 15.13. Counterparts; Telecopied Signatures. This Agreement and each of the Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to Agent or the Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Agent and when Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any certificate delivered thereunder, by fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. or such Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart. 15.14. Construction. The parties acknowledge that each party and its counsel have participated in the preparation of this Agreement and that the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be 118


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resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or any amendments, schedules or exhibits thereto. 15.15. Confidentiality. Each of Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners); (c) to the extent required by Applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities hereunder; (h) with the consent of Borrower; or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or (y) becomes available to Agent, any Lender, the Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Borrower. In addition, Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the Loan Documents, and the Commitments. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to Agent, any Lender or the Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. 15.16. Publicity. Each Loan Party hereby authorizes Agent, upon prior notice, to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangement entered into among the Loan Parties, Agent and Lenders, including, without limitation, announcements which are commonly known as tombstones, in such publications and to such selected parties as Agent shall in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate. In addition, each Loan Party upon prior notice authorizes Agent to include such Loan Party’s name and logo in select transaction profiles and client testimonials prepared by Agent for use in publications, company brochures and other marketing materials of Agent. 119


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15.17. Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Loan Documents. The words “delivery,” “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary neither Agent or the Issuer nor any Lender is under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by Agent, such Issuer or such Lender pursuant to procedures approved by it and provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart. 15.18. Confirmation of Flood Policies and Procedures. HSBC has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “Flood Laws”). HSBC, as administrative agent or collateral agent on a syndicated facility, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each lender in the syndicate) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws. However, HSBC reminds each Lender, Participant and Purchasing Lender in connection with the facility that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or Purchasing Lender in the facility) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the flood insurance requirements. 15.19. Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record, and Borrower shall provide, information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the names and addresses of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations under Applicable Law. 15.20. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that any of this Agreement or the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedging Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that this Agreement, the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such 120


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Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and this Agreement and the other Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support. 15.21. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by: (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable: (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority. 15.22. Currency Conversion. If any payment by Borrower or the proceeds of any Collateral shall be made in a currency other than Dollars, such amount shall be converted into Dollars at the rate determined by Agent or Issuer, as applicable, as the rate quoted by it in accordance with methods customarily used by such Person for such or similar purposes as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of Dollars with the currency of actual payment through its principal foreign exchange trading office (including, in the case of Agent, any Affiliate), provided that Agent or Issuer, as applicable, may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution actively engaged in foreign currency exchange if Agent or Issuer, as applicable, does not then have a spot rate for Dollars. 121


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15.23. Lender Representations. Each Lender and Issuer represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any sub-agents, or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates thereof (collectively the “Agent Parties”), and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning Borrower and its Affiliates) as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW] 122


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective Authorized Officers as of the day and year first above written. VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC., as Borrower By:_______________________________ Name: Title: VEECO PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC., as a Guarantor By:_______________________________ Name: Title: VEECO APAC LLC, as a Guarantor By:_______________________________ Name: Title: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Agent, Issuer and as a Lender By:_______________________________ Name: Signature page to Loan and Security Agreement


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Title: [OTHER LENDERS] By:_______________________________ Name: Title: Signature page to Loan and Security Agreement


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Signature page to Loan and Security Agreement