8-K
false 0001571996 0001571996 2021-12-13 2021-12-13

 

 

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): December 13, 2021

 

 

Dell Technologies Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-37867   80-0890963

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Dell Way  
Round Rock, Texas   78682
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 289-3355

(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:

 

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

Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   DELL   New York Stock Exchange

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.

Issuance of Senior Notes

On December 13, 2021, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dell Technologies Inc. (the “Company”), Dell International L.L.C. and EMC Corporation (together, the “Issuers”), closed their previously announced offering (the “Offering”) of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 (the “2041 Notes”) and $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes” and, together with the 2041 Notes, the “Notes”). The Offering was made in a private transaction in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers,” as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Notes were issued pursuant to a Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors (as defined below) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), as supplemented, (i) with respect to the 2041 Notes, by the 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1 (the “2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, and (ii) with respect to the 2051 Notes, by the 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1 (the “2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture and the 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Issuers’ existing and future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The Notes are guaranteed on a joint and several unsecured basis by the Company, Denali Intermediate, Inc. (“Denali Intermediate”) and Dell Inc. (“Dell” and, together with Denali Intermediate and the Company, the “Guarantors”), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Such note guarantees rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Guarantors and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of the Guarantors. The Notes and the note guarantees are structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of any existing and future subsidiaries of the Company that do not guarantee the Notes.

Interest on each series of the Notes begins accruing on December 13, 2021, the issue date of the Notes. Interest on the 2041 Notes accrues at a rate of 3.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2022. Interest on the 2051 Notes accrues at a rate of 3.450% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2022. The 2041 Notes mature on December 15, 2041 and the 2051 Notes mature on December 15, 2051.

Prior to (i) June 15, 2041 (the date six months prior to the maturity of the 2041 Notes), in the case of the 2041 Notes, and (ii) on June 15, 2051 (the date six months prior to the maturity of the 2051 Notes), in the case of the 2051 Notes, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at a “make-whole” premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

On or after (i) June 15, 2041, in the case of the 2041 Notes, and (ii) June 15, 2051, in the case of the 2051 Notes, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

If a change of control triggering event occurs, the holders of the Notes may require the Issuers to purchase for cash all or a portion of their Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.

The Indenture contains covenants that impose limitations on, among other things, creating liens on certain assets to secure debt; consolidating, merging, selling or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all assets; and entering into sale and leaseback transactions. The Indenture also contains customary events of default and covenants for an issuer of investment grade debt securities.


In addition, on December 13, 2021, the Issuers and the Guarantors entered into the registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the initial purchasers of the Notes in connection with the Offering, pursuant to which the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to register notes having substantially identical terms as the Notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of an offer to exchange such registered notes for the Notes. The Issuers and the Guarantors are obligated to pay additional interest on the Notes if they fail to consummate such an exchange offer within two years after the issue date of the Notes.

The foregoing summaries of the Base Indenture, the 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture, the 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full texts of such documents filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the forms of Notes included therein and filed as Exhibits 4.5 and 4.6 hereto), which documents are 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 in Item 1.01 is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following documents are herewith filed as exhibits to this report:

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

4.1    Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, among Dell International L.L.C, EMC Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
4.2    2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021, among Dell International L.L.C, EMC Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
4.3    2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021, among Dell International L.L.C, EMC Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
4.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2021, among Dell International L.L.C, EMC Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and BofA Securities, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as the representatives for the initial purchasers
4.5    Form of Global Note for 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 (included in Exhibit 4.2)
4.6    Form of Global Note for 3.340% Senior Notes due 2051 (included in Exhibit 4.3)
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File — the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.


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.

 

Date: December 15, 2021     Dell Technologies Inc.
    By:  

/s/ Robert Potts

      Robert Potts
      Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
      (Duly Authorized Officer)
EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

BASE INDENTURE

Dated as of December 13, 2021

Among

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.

and

EMC CORPORATION,

as Issuers,

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO,

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

SENIOR NOTES

AS MAY BE ISSUED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ONE OR MORE SERIES

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

  

Indenture Section

310(a)(1)    7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.10

(c)

   N.A.
311(a)    7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.
312(a)    2.05

(b)

   13.03

(c)

   13.03
313(a)    7.06

(b)(1)

   N.A.

(b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

(c)

   7.06; 13.02

(d)

   7.06
314(b)    N.A.

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(f)

   N.A.
316(a)(2)    N.A.
318(b)    N.A.

(c)

   13.01

N.A. means not applicable.

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page  
ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.

  Definitions      1  

SECTION 1.02.

  Other Definitions      16  

SECTION 1.03.

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      16  

SECTION 1.04.

  Rules of Construction      17  

SECTION 1.05.

  Acts of Holders      17  
ARTICLE 2

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.

  Form and Dating; Terms      19  

SECTION 2.02.

  Execution and Authentication      22  

SECTION 2.03.

  Registrar and Paying Agent      23  

SECTION 2.04.

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      24  

SECTION 2.05.

  Holder Lists      24  

SECTION 2.06.

  Transfer and Exchange      24  

SECTION 2.07.

  Replacement Notes      37  

SECTION 2.08.

  Outstanding Notes      38  

SECTION 2.09.

  Treasury Notes      38  

SECTION 2.10.

  Temporary Notes      38  

SECTION 2.11.

  Cancellation      38  

SECTION 2.12.

  Defaulted Interest      39  

SECTION 2.13.

  CUSIP Numbers      39  
ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.

  Notices to Trustee      39  

SECTION 3.02.

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased      40  

SECTION 3.03.

  Notice of Redemption      40  

SECTION 3.04.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption or Purchase      41  

SECTION 3.05.

  Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price      42  

SECTION 3.06.

  Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part      42  

SECTION 3.07.

  Optional Redemption      42  

SECTION 3.08.

  Mandatory Redemption      43  
ARTICLE 4

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.

  Payment of Notes      43  

SECTION 4.02.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      43  

SECTION 4.03.

  Reports and Other Information      44  

 

ii


SECTION 4.04.

  Compliance Certificate      44  

SECTION 4.05.

  Taxes      44  

SECTION 4.06.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      45  

SECTION 4.07.

  [Reserved]      45  

SECTION 4.08.

  [Reserved]      45  

SECTION 4.09.

  [Reserved]      45  

SECTION 4.10.

  [Reserved]      45  

SECTION 4.11.

  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions      45  

SECTION 4.12.

  Liens      45  

SECTION 4.13.

  Corporate Existence      46  

SECTION 4.14.

  Change of Control Triggering Event      46  
ARTICLE 5

 

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01.

  Merger, Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets      49  

SECTION 5.02.

  Successor Corporation Substituted      50  
ARTICLE 6

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.

  Events of Default      50  

SECTION 6.02.

  Acceleration      51  

SECTION 6.03.

  Other Remedies      52  

SECTION 6.04.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      52  

SECTION 6.05.

  Control by Majority      53  

SECTION 6.06.

  Limitation on Suits      53  

SECTION 6.07.

  Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment      53  

SECTION 6.08.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      54  

SECTION 6.09.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      54  

SECTION 6.10.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      54  

SECTION 6.11.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      54  

SECTION 6.12.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      54  

SECTION 6.13.

  Priorities      55  

SECTION 6.14.

  Undertaking for Costs      55  
ARTICLE 7

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.

  Duties of Trustee      56  

SECTION 7.02.

  Rights of Trustee      57  

SECTION 7.03.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      58  

SECTION 7.04.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      58  

SECTION 7.05.

  Notice of Defaults      58  

SECTION 7.06.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes      58  

SECTION 7.07.

  Compensation and Indemnity      59  

SECTION 7.08.

  Replacement of Trustee      59  

 

iii


SECTION 7.09.

  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.      60  

SECTION 7.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      60  

SECTION 7.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer      61  
ARTICLE 8

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01.

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      61  

SECTION 8.02.

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      61  

SECTION 8.03.

  Covenant Defeasance      62  

SECTION 8.04.

  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      62  

SECTION 8.05.

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      63  

SECTION 8.06.

  Repayment to Issuers      64  

SECTION 8.07.

  Reinstatement      64  
ARTICLE 9

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

SECTION 9.01.

  Without Consent of Holders of Notes      64  

SECTION 9.02.

  With Consent of Holders of Notes      66  

SECTION 9.03.

  [Reserved]      67  

SECTION 9.04.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents      67  

SECTION 9.05.

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      68  

SECTION 9.06.

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.      68  
ARTICLE 10

 

NOTE GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.01.

  Note Guarantee      68  

SECTION 10.02.

  Limitation on Guarantor Liability      70  

SECTION 10.03.

  Execution and Delivery      70  

SECTION 10.04.

  Subrogation      70  

SECTION 10.05.

  Benefits Acknowledged      70  

SECTION 10.06.

  Release of Note Guarantees      71  
ARTICLE 11

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 11.01.

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      71  

SECTION 11.02.

  Application of Trust Money      72  

 

iv


ARTICLE 12

 

[RESERVED]

 

ARTICLE 13

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 13.01.

  Trust Indenture Act Controls      73  

SECTION 13.02.

  Notices      73  

SECTION 13.03.

  Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes      75  

SECTION 13.04.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      75  

SECTION 13.05.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      75  

SECTION 13.06.

  Rules by Trustee and Agents      75  

SECTION 13.07.

  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      76  

SECTION 13.08.

  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction      76  

SECTION 13.09.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      76  

SECTION 13.10.

  Force Majeure      76  

SECTION 13.11.

  Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)      76  

SECTION 13.12.

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      77  

SECTION 13.13.

  Qualification of Indenture      77  

SECTION 13.14.

  Successors      77  

SECTION 13.15.

  Severability      77  

SECTION 13.16.

  [Reserved]      77  

SECTION 13.17.

  Counterpart Originals      77  

SECTION 13.18.

  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      78  

SECTION 13.19.

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreement      78  

 

v


EXHIBITS   
Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C    Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D    Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

 

vi


INDENTURE, dated as of December 13, 2021, among Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of senior notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series, including the senior notes in such principal amounts, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times and to have such other provisions as shall be set forth in the supplemental indentures dated as of the date hereof (the “Initial Notes”); and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Issuers and the Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and, except as provided herein, for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes of any series:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

144A Global Note” means, with respect to each series of Notes, a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of such series sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Additional Interest” means the interest payable as a consequence of the failure to effectuate in a timely manner the exchange offer and/or shelf registration set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes issued pursuant to the terms of any supplemental indenture (other than the Initial Notes, Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes, any additional Notes issued pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10 or 9.05 of this Indenture or additional Notes issued in respect of the remaining portion of any Notes redeemed in part as provided for under any supplemental indenture).

Adjusted Current Liabilities” has the meaning set forth for such term in the definition of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets”.

 

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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” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Aggregate Debt” means, as of the date of determination, the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries secured by Liens (other than Permitted Liens) that is not permitted by Section 4.12(a) and (2) the Attributable Indebtedness of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions entered into pursuant to Section 4.11(b).

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Attributable Indebtedness” when used in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction relating to a Principal Property means, at the time of determination, the lesser of (a) the fair market value of property or assets involved in the Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, (b) the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any renewal term or period for which such lease has been extended), computed by discounting from the respective due dates to such date such total net amount of rent at the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease or, if not practicable to determine such rate, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average interest rate per annum borne by the Notes of each series outstanding pursuant to this Indenture compounded semi-annually, or (c) if the obligation with respect to the Sale and Lease-Back Transaction constitutes a Financing Lease Obligation, the amount equal to the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP and included in the financial statements of the lessee. For purposes of the foregoing definition, rent shall not include amounts required to be paid by the lessee, whether or not designated as rent or additional rent, on account of or contingent upon maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or the net amount determined assuming no such termination.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board” with respect to a Person means the board of directors (or similar body) of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board of directors (or similar body).

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

 

-2-


Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events after the Issue Date:

(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than any Permitted Holders;

(2) Parent becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of Equity Interests of Parent (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of Parent having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of Parent, unless the Permitted Holders otherwise have the right (pursuant to contract, proxy or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to designate or appoint directors of Parent having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of Parent;

(3) Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, Parent, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of Parent or the Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of Voting Stock of Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving Person, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

(4) either of the Issuers shall cease to be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Parent; or

(5) the adoption by Parent of a plan providing for its liquidation or dissolution.

Notwithstanding the preceding or any provision of Section 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, (i) a Person or group shall not be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock (x) subject to a stock or asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, warrant agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option or similar agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the acquisition of the

 

-3-


Voting Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by such agreement or (y) as a result of veto or approval rights in any joint venture agreement, shareholder agreement or other similar agreement, (ii) if any group includes one or more Permitted Holders, the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of Parent owned, directly or indirectly, by any Permitted Holders that are part of such group shall not be treated as being beneficially owned by such group or any other member of such group for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred and (iii) a Person or group will not be deemed to beneficially own the Voting Stock of another Person as a result of its ownership of Voting Stock or other securities of such other Person’s Parent Entity (or related contractual rights) unless it owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of such Parent Entity having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of such Parent Entity.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means, with respect to any series of Notes, the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to such series of Notes.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme, or any successor securities clearance agency.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (1) all current liabilities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Non-Financing Lease Obligations), except for (a) notes and loans payable, (b) current maturities of long-term debt and (c) current maturities of obligations under Financing Lease Obligations (such current liabilities referred to in this clause (1), less the items set forth in sub-clauses (a) through (c), the “Adjusted Current Liabilities”), and (2) to the extent included in such aggregate amount of assets, all intangible assets, goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, organization and development expenses, unamortized debt discount and expenses and deferred charges (other than capitalized unamortized product development costs, such as, without limitation, capitalized hardware and software development costs) (such items referred to in this clause (2), the “Intangible Assets”), all as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to the applicable date of determination for which financial statements are available; provided that, for purposes of testing the covenants under this Indenture in connection with any transaction, (i) the assets and Intangible Assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be adjusted to reflect any acquisitions and dispositions of assets or Intangible Assets, as the case may be, that have occurred during the period from the date of the applicable balance sheet through the applicable date of determination, including the transaction being tested under this Indenture and (ii) the Adjusted Current Liabilities of Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be adjusted to reflect any increase or decrease in Adjusted Current Liabilities as a result of such transaction being tested under this Indenture or any acquisitions or dispositions of assets that have occurred during the period from the date of the applicable balance sheet through the applicable date of determination.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Issuers.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

 

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Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c), substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Dell” means Dell Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Dell International” means Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

Denali Intermediate” means Denali Intermediate, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Depositary with respect to such series of Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Dividing Person” has the meaning set forth for such term in the definition of “Division”.

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia.

Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

EMC” means EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

Euroclear” means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearance agency.

 

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Exchange Notes” means any Notes issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Financing Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) on both the balance sheet and income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. At the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a financing or capital lease would be the amount required to be reflected as a liability on such balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.

Fitch” means Fitch Inc., a subsidiary of Fimalac, S.A., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b) or 2.06(d).

guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantor” means, with respect to each series of Notes, Parent, Denali Intermediate and Dell until, in each case, such Person is released from its Note Guarantee with respect to such series of Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person with respect to (1) any rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions,

 

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currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (2) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes. The term “Indenture”, with respect to a series of Notes, shall also include the terms of the particular series of Notes established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth for such term in the recitals hereof.

Initial Purchasers” means the initial purchasers party to the Purchase Agreement, dated December 6, 2021, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers party therto.

Intangible Assets” has the meaning set forth for such term in the definition of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.”

Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Note, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Note.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch, or the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency substituted for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of “Rating Agency.”

Investors” means each of (1) Michael S. Dell and his Affiliates, related estate planning and charitable trusts and vehicles and his family members, and also upon Michael S. Dell’s death, (a) any Person who was an Affiliate of Michael S. Dell that upon his death directly or indirectly owns Equity Interests in any Parent Entity of Dell, Dell or any Subsidiary and (b) Michael S. Dell’s heirs, executors and/or administrators, (2) MSDC Management L.P., its Affiliates and any funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled by the foregoing or their respective Affiliates and (3) Silver Lake Partners IV, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors IV, L.P., SLP Denali Co-Invest, L.P., Silver Lake Partners V DE (AIV), L.P., SL SPV-2, L.P. and their Affiliates and any funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled by the foregoing or their respective Affiliates, excluding, in each case, Denali Intermediate Inc. and its Subsidiaries and any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means the date the Initial Notes are first issued under this Indenture.

Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuers by an Officer of each Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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Issuers” has the meaning set forth for such term in the introductory paragraph hereof.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers and sent to all Holders of the Notes of any series for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer relating to such series of Notes.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (1) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (2) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Financing Lease Obligation or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall a Non-Financing Lease Obligation be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth for such term in the definition of “Hedging Obligations.”

Maturity”, when used with respect to any Note, means the date on which the principal of such Note or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, exercise of option for repayment or otherwise.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Non-Financing Lease Obligation” means a lease obligation that is not required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease on both the balance sheet and the income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, a straight line or operating lease shall be considered a Non-Financing Lease Obligation.

Nonrecourse Obligation” means indebtedness or other Obligations substantially related to (1) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by Dell or any of its Subsidiaries or (2) the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of properties of Dell or any of its Subsidiaries, as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness or Obligation has no recourse to Dell or any of its Subsidiaries or any assets of Dell or any of its Subsidiaries other than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

Note Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Notes” means the Initial Notes, any Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

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Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any indebtedness; provided, that any of the foregoing (other than principal and interest) shall no longer constitute “Obligations” after payment in full of such principal and interest.

Offering Memorandum” means the Offering Memorandum, dated December 6, 2021, relating to the offering of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Manager or Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary or any other officer designated by any such individuals of Parent or any other Person, as the case may be.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of Parent or an Issuer by an Officer of Parent or an Issuer or on behalf of any other Person, as the case may be, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions). The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuers or the Guarantors.

Par Call Date” means, with respect to any series of Notes, the “Par Call Date” as defined in the supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Notes were issued.

Parent” means Dell Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Parent Entity” means any Person that, with respect to another Person, owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other Person having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of such other Person.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Participating Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Permitted Holders” means (1) each of the Investors and members of management of Parent and its Subsidiaries who are holders of Equity Interests of Parent on the Issue Date and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of which any of the foregoing or any Permitted Holder specified in the last sentence of this definition are members and any member of such group; provided that, in the case of such group and any member of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors, members of management and Person or group specified in the last sentence of this definition, collectively, own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of Parent having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of Parent held by such group, (2) any Permitted Parent and (3) any Permitted Plan. Any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) whose acquisition of beneficial ownership or assets or properties of Parent constitutes a Change of Control Triggering Event in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

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Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens in effect as of the Issue Date;

(2) Liens securing Obligations in respect of Notes outstanding on the Issue Date;

(3) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition (by a merger, consolidation or amalgamation or otherwise) or existing on the property or shares of stock or other assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether or not such existing Liens thereon were given to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof);

(4) Liens on goods the purchase price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or Liens on bills of lading, drafts or other documents of title arising by operation of law or pursuant to the standard terms of agreements relating to letters of credit, bank guarantees and other similar instruments and specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries securing Parent’s or such Subsidiary’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or documentary or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of Parent or such Subsidiary to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(5) (a) rights of set-off, banker’s liens, netting agreements and other Liens arising by operation of law or by the terms of documents of banks or other financial institutions in relation to the maintenance of administration of deposit accounts, securities accounts, cash management arrangements or in connection with the issuance of letters of credit, bank guarantees or other similar instruments, (b) Liens securing obligations under letters of credit or (c) Liens securing, or otherwise arising from, judgements;

(6) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, including precautionary financing statements, or any similar filings made in respect of Non-Financing Leases or consignments entered into by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

(7) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;

(8) Liens on property or assets used to defease or to irrevocably satisfy and discharge indebtedness;

(9) Liens created in connection with a project financed with, and created to secure, a Nonrecourse Obligation;

(10) Liens relating to future escrow arrangements securing Indebtedness;

(11) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement;

 

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(12) Liens to secure any indebtedness (including Financing Lease Obligations) incurred to finance the purchase, lease, construction, installation, replacement, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or any other asset, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, so long as such indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase, lease or improvement or is created within 24 months thereafter; provided that Liens securing indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this clause (12) extend only to the assets purchased with the proceeds of such indebtedness, accessions to such assets and the proceeds and products thereof, any lease of such assets (including accessions thereto) and the proceeds and products thereof and customary security deposits in respect thereof; provided, however, that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(13) Liens in favor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the Trustee; and

(14) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in this definition of “Permitted Liens” (including any accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any dividend, premium (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, underwriting discounts and any fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement); provided, however, that such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus accessions, additions and improvements on such property, including after-acquired property that is (a) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (b) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such indebtedness, the terms of which indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (c) the proceeds and products thereof).

For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (i) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this definition but are permitted to be incurred in part under any combination thereof and of any other available exemption and (ii) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of Permitted Liens, the Issuers shall, in their sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition.

For purposes of this definition, the term “indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such indebtedness.

Permitted Parent” means any Parent Entity that at the time it became a Parent Entity of Parent was a Permitted Holder pursuant to clause (1) of the definition thereof and was not formed in connection with, or in contemplation of, a transaction that would otherwise constitute a Change of Control.

Permitted Plan” means any employee benefits plan of Parent or its Affiliates and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan.

 

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

Principal Property” means the land, land improvements, buildings and fixtures (to the extent they constitute real property interests) (including any leasehold interest therein) constituting the principal corporate office, any manufacturing plant or any manufacturing facility (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) and the equipment located thereon which (a) is owned by the Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) has not been determined in good faith by the Board of the Issuers not to be materially important to the total business conducted by the Issuers and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (c) has a net book value on the date as of which the determination is being made in excess of 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as most recently determined on or prior to such date (including, for purposes of such calculation, the land, land improvements, buildings and such fixtures comprising such office, plant or facilities, as the case may be).

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Rating Agency” means (1) S&P, Moody’s and Fitch or (2) if S&P, Moody’s or Fitch or each of them shall not make a corporate rating with respect to the Issuers (or any Guarantor) or a rating on any series of the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by Parent, which shall be substituted for any or all of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, as the case may be, with respect to such corporate rating or the rating of such series of Notes, as the case may be.

Rating Decline” means, with respect to any series of Notes, the occurrence of a decrease in the rating of the Notes of such series by one or more gradations by any two of three Rating Agencies (including gradations within the rating categories, as well as between categories), within 60 days after the earlier of (x) a Change of Control, (y) the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (z) public notice of the intention of Parent to effect a Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced ratings review for possible downgrade by either of such two Rating Agencies, it being understood that a change in ratings outlook shall not extend such 60-day period); provided, however, that a Rating Decline otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Decline for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control Triggering Event”) unless each of such two Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply announces or publicly confirms or informs the Trustee in writing at Parent’s or its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Decline); provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, a Ratings Decline shall not be deemed to have occurred so long as such series of Notes has an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of three Rating Agencies.

 

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Record Date” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Notes of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 2.01.

Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Initial Notes to be entered into as of the Issue Date, by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers set forth therein and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more substantially similar registration rights agreements among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreements may be amended from time to time.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means, with respect to each series of Notes, a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of such series upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer of the Trustee within its corporate trust department including any vice president, assistant secretary, senior associate, associate, 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 who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Restricted Subsidiary” means (1) any Subsidiary of an Issuer that (a) is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (b) is a Domestic Subsidiary and (c) directly owns or directly leases any Principal Property and (2) any other Subsidiary that the Board of any Issuer may designate as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that “Restricted Subsidiary” shall not include Dell Financial Services L.L.C. or any other Subsidiary that is principally engaged in financing receivables, securitization transactions, factoring or other similar transactions.

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

 

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

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by an Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Principal Property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, other than (1) any such transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three years, (2) any such transaction between any Issuer and any Subsidiary of any Issuer or between Subsidiaries of any Issuer, (3) any such transaction executed by the time of or within 365 days after the latest of the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement or the commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property or (4) any such transaction entered into before the Issue Date or entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary.

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

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Note or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which

(a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

(b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, any entity that is owned at a 50% or less level (as described above) shall not be a “Subsidiary” for any purpose under this Indenture, regardless of whether such entity is consolidated on Parent’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ financial statements.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

(1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means with respect to each series of Notes, a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes of such series that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of such Person.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
“Alternate Offer”    4.14(a)
“Applicable Law”    13.11
“Authentication Order”    2.02
“Change of Control Offer”    4.14(a)
“Change of Control Payment”    4.14(a)
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.14(a)(2)
“Covenant Defeasance”    8.03
“DTC”    2.03
“Event of Default”    6.01(a)
“Legal Defeasance”    8.02
“Note Register”    2.03
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Registrar”    2.03
“Redemption Price Deficit”    11.01
“Second Change of Control Payment Date”    4.14(d)
“Successor Company”    5.01(a)(1)

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Except as set forth in this Section 1.03 and in Section 13.13, the Issuers and the Guarantors, if any, shall not be required to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Trust Indenture Act shall not apply to this Indenture prior to any such qualification, and all references herein to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act refer to compliance following any such qualification.

At all times after the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Registration Rights Agreement and pursuant to Section 13.13, this Indenture will be subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the series of Notes which are subject to such registration statement filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, which unless otherwise indicated are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture effective upon the effectiveness of any such registration statement. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following Trust Indenture Act term used in this Indenture has the following meaning:

“obligor” on the Notes of any series and the Note Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes of such series and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(h) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section,” “clause” or “Exhibit” refers to an Article, Section, clause or Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and

(i) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause, other subdivision or Exhibit.

In addition, so long as a Guarantor that is either (1) a direct or indirect parent company of Parent and does not hold any material assets other than the Equity Interests of Parent or (2) a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and does not hold any material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Issuers and their direct or indirect parent companies (in each case, as determined in good faith by the Board or senior management of such Guarantor), any calculations or measures that are determined with reference to Parent’s financial statements (including, without limitation, Consolidated Net Tangible Assets) may be determined with reference to such Guarantor’s financial statements instead.

SECTION 1.05. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

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(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuers in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuers may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a Record Date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such Record Date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this Section 1.05(f) shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and DTC that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuers may fix a Record Date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a Record Date is fixed, the Holders on such Record Date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such Record Date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such Record Date.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes of each series shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 thereof.

(b) Series of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes of any series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Notes may be issued in one or more series. All Notes of a series shall be identical except with respect to the date of issuance, issue price and, if applicable, the first payment of interest and the first date from which interest will accrue with respect to any Additional Notes of such series. Notes may differ between series in respect of any matters; provided that all series of Notes shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. There shall be set forth in one or more Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indentures hereto and/or Officer’s Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted pursuant to the resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, prior to the issuance of Notes of any series:

(1) the title of the Notes of the series (which shall distinguish the Notes of the series from the Notes of any other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes of the series pursuant to Article 2);

(3) the price or prices at which the Notes of the series will be sold;

(4) the Person to whom any interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Notes of the series are payable;

(6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method of determining the rate or rates at which the Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method for determining the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable or the method by which the dates will be determined, the Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

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(7) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on Notes of the series shall be payable, if other than the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the Notes of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes of such series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Notes of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers;

(9) the obligation of the Issuers, if any, to redeem or purchase the Notes of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Notes of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Notes;

(10) the terms, if any, upon which the Notes of the series may be exchanged for other securities of the Issuers and the terms and conditions upon which the exchange shall be effected, including the initial exchange price or rate, the exchange period and any other additional provisions;

(11) if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Notes of the series shall be issuable;

(12) the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;

(13) any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of payments of principal of or any premium or interest on the Notes;

(14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of the Notes of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount as of any date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date (or, in any such case, the manner in which the deemed principal amount is to be determined), and, if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in currency of the United States of America;

(15) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Notes of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Issuers or the Holders thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the Notes are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on Notes of such series shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(16) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in, the covenants and definitions set forth in this Indenture as then in effect or in terms set forth in this Indenture as then in effect relating to permitted consolidations, mergers or sale of assets;

 

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(17) any additions or deletions or changes to the provisions provided in Article 8 of this Indenture relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the Issuers’ covenant defeasance option;

(18) whether any of the Notes of such series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form or both, and, if so, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Note or Global Notes and the terms and conditions, if any, other than those set forth in Article 2, upon which interests in such Global Note may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for the individual Notes represented thereby in definitive registered form, and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by the Global Note in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in this Indenture;

(19) the Trustee and any authenticating agents, Paying Agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(20) the form and terms, if any, of any guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to Notes of the series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of this Indenture as then in effect;

(21) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Notes of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as then in effect;

(22) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Notes of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes of such series to declare the principal, premium and interest with respect to the Notes of such series due and payable; and

(23) any other terms of the Notes of such series and the related Note Guarantees, if any (whether or not such other terms are consistent or inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Article 9 and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Notes or such Note Guarantees, if any).

All Notes of any one series need not be issued at one time and, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to any such Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, as applicable, with respect to a series of Notes, the authorized principal amount of any series of Notes may be increased to provide for issuances of additional Notes of a series, at the option of the Issuers, without the consent of any Holder of any series of Notes, at any time and from time to time.

(c) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in such other form as shall be established in one or more supplemental indentures, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes of any series as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal

 

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amount of Notes of any series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of any series represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06.

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Terms. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes of any series shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, and the Issuers and the Guarantors expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

Additional Notes of a series ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes of such series may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuers without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and Exchange Notes of such series and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes and Exchange Notes of such series; provided that, if any Additional Notes of a series are not fungible with the Initial Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes of such series will be issued as a separate series under this Indenture and will have a separate CUSIP number and ISIN from the Initial Notes of such series. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

(f) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of each of the Issuers by manual, facsimile or electronic (including, but not limited to, “.pdf”) signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Notes executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication and delivery and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Notes of any series for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Notes.

 

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In authenticating such Notes, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall receive, and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) (x) if the terms and form of such Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution or resolutions of the Board of the Issuers, a copy of the appropriate record of such action, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuers, and (y) if the terms and form of such Notes are established by an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to general authorization of the Board of the Issuers, such Officer’s Certificate; and/or

(b) a copy of the executed supplemental indenture.

(c) an Officer’s Certificate delivered in accordance with Sections 13.04 and 13.05; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel, delivered in accordance with Sections 13.04 and 13.05, and which shall also state:

(1) that the form of such Notes has been established by an Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or pursuant to resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards in accordance with Section 2.01 of this Base Indenture and in conformity with this Base Indenture;

(2) that the terms of such Notes have been established in accordance with Section 2.01 of this Base Indenture and in conformity with the other provisions of this Base Indenture; and

(3) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to customary exceptions, limitations, qualifications and other assumptions.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.

SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuers shall maintain with respect to each series of Notes an office or agency where Notes of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each series of Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

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The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders of any series of Notes or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest, if any, on such series of Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it with respect to such series of Notes to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it with respect to such series of Notes to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent) shall have no further liability for the money. If Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes of any series.

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes of any series and the Issuers shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note of the same series unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in clause (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in

 

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Sections 2.07 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in clause (i) or (ii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(b)(ii)(B) and Section 2.06(c). A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f).

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f), the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h).

 

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(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) and

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer relating to such series of Notes in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in paragraph (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

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the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note of the same series in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) [Reserved].

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series only upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer relating to such series of Notes in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

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(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

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(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer relating to such series of Notes in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate:

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer; and

 

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(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities of such series of Notes under this Indenture.

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR (IN THE CASE OF THE 144A NOTES) OR 40 DAYS (IN THE CASE OF THE REGULATION S NOTES) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE

 

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ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OTHER THAN THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER HEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING OR HOLDING THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WITH THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR (C) ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATION 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-101, AS MODIFIED BY SECTION 3(42) OF ERISA) OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (A) OR (B), OR (II)(A) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) BY IT WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND (B) NONE OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IS ITS FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO ITS DECISION TO INVEST IN AND HOLD THIS SECURITY AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE 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. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE 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.”

(iii) [Reserved].

(iv) After a transfer of any Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Notes, all requirements pertaining to the Private Placement Legend on such Notes shall cease to apply.

(v) Upon the consummation of an Exchange Offer with respect to the Notes pursuant to which Holders of such Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Notes, the Exchange Notes in global form without the Private Placement Legend shall be available to Holders that exchange such Notes in such Exchange Offer.

 

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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes of the same series, the principal amount of Notes of the series represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Holders shall be required to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 4.14 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part.

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(v) The Issuers shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of a selection of Notes of such series for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer or other tender offer, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers shall deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes of any series may be exchanged for other Notes of such series of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes of such series to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(xi) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

The Notes of any series outstanding at any time are all the Notes of such series authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because an Issuer or an Affiliate of an Issuer holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuers, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a Redemption Date or the Maturity, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

SECTION 2.09. Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes of a series owned by the Issuers, or by any Affiliate of the Issuers, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes of a series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes of a series so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes of a series and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any obligor upon the Notes of a series or any Affiliate of an Issuer or of such other obligor.

SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes of any series are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes of the same series in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes of any series shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes of such series under this Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation.

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes of any series to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposal of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuers upon their written request. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes of any series, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special Record Date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 4.01. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit 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 interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special Record Date and payment date; provided that no such special Record Date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such special Record Date. At least 15 days before the special Record Date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall send or cause to be sent to each Holder of such series of Notes a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special Record Date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuers in issuing the Notes of any series may use CUSIP or ISIN numbers or both numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers or both numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers of any Notes.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes of any series pursuant to the optional redemption terms set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, as applicable, governing such series of Notes, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days (or such shorter time period as the Trustee may agree) before notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 but not more than 70 days before a Redemption Date (except as set forth in the last paragraph of Section 3.03), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture or the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards governing such series of Notes, as applicable, pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the Redemption Price.

 

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SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes of any series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, such Notes shall be selected for redemption or purchase by the Trustee by lot; provided that if the Notes are represented by Global Notes, interests in the Notes shall be selected for redemption or purchase by DTC in accordance with its standard procedures therefor. Such Notes of a series to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption or purchase.

Notes and portions of Notes selected for redemption or purchase shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes of such series held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes of a series called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes of that series called for redemption or purchase.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

The Issuers shall deliver electronically, mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 10 days, but except as set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 3.03, but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date or purchase date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that notices of redemption may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11. Notices of redemption may be conditional.

The notice shall identify the series of Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the Redemption Price;

(c) if any Note is to be redeemed or purchased in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed or purchased and that, with respect to Notes represented by Definitive Notes after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or repurchased will be issued in the name of the Holder of such Notes upon cancellation of the original Note; provided that the new Notes will be only issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes of the series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

 

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(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes of the series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture or the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards governing such series of Notes, as applicable, pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) if in connection with a redemption of any series of Notes pursuant to the optional redemption terms set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards governing such series of Notes, as applicable, any condition to such redemption.

A notice of redemption need not set forth the exact Redemption Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine the Redemption Price or verify the calculation of the Redemption Price.

Notice of any redemption of, or any offer to purchase, the Notes may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be given in connection with another transaction (or series of related transactions) and prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof, and any such redemption or purchase may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event, as the case may be. In addition, if such redemption or purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the redemption date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date or purchase date or by the redemption date or purchase date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Issuers’ discretion if the Issuers reasonably believe that any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Issuers may provide in such notice or offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption or offer to purchase may be performed by another Person.

The Issuers may redeem Notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in this Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions will have different redemption dates and, with respect to redemptions that occur on the same date, may specify the order in which such redemptions are deemed to occur.

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption or Purchase.

Once notice of redemption is sent (including electronically) in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes of a series called for redemption or purchase become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable, at the Redemption Price or purchase price, as applicable, unless such redemption or purchase is conditioned on the happening of a future event. The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided (including electronically), shall be conclusively presumed to

 

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have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption or purchase in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption or purchase of any other Note or portions thereof. Subject to Section 3.05, on and after the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

Prior to noon (New York City time) on the Redemption Date or purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date or purchase date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in such series of Notes and in Section 4.01.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note of the same series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be issued in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption.

The optional redemption terms with respect to any series of Notes shall be set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, as applicable, governing such series of Notes. The Issuers and their Affiliates may at any time and from time to time acquire Notes by means other than a redemption, including pursuant to a tender offer, the purchase of Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.

 

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SECTION 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.

The Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to any series of Notes.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes.

The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on each series of Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in such series of Notes; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than Additional Interest, if any, Parent or a Subsidiary, holds as of noon (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Issuers will pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. If an Interest Payment Date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay.

The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes of any series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes of such series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers shall 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 Issuers 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 of the Trustee.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where Notes of any series 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 Issuers of their obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuers shall 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 Issuers hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

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SECTION 4.03. Reports and Other Information.

(a) To the extent any Notes are outstanding, Parent shall deliver to the Trustee any reports, information and documents that Parent is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 30 days after such report, information or document is required to be filed with the SEC. All such reports, information or documents referred to in this Section 4.03 that Parent files with the SEC via the SEC’s EDGAR system shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee and transmitted to Holders at the time such reports, information or documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or any successor system).

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time any Issuer is not required to file with the SEC the reports required by Section 4.03(a), Parent will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c) Delivery of the foregoing reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or actual knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

SECTION 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Parent ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and the Guarantors during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Guarantor gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuers shall promptly (which shall be no more than thirty (30) days) deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.05. Taxes.

The Issuers shall pay, and shall cause each of the Guarantors to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

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SECTION 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Issuers and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they 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 wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 4.07. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.08. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.09. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.10. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.11. Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.

(a) The Issuers shall not, and shall not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless (a) the Issuers or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Principal Property involved in such transaction at least equal in amount to the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.12(a), or (b) the Issuers shall apply an amount equal to the net proceeds of the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 365 days after such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to the defeasance or retirement of any series of Notes or other indebtedness of the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary or to the purchase, construction or development of other assets or property.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction which would otherwise be prohibited by Section 4.11(a) if, after giving effect thereto and at the time of determination, Aggregate Debt does not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (x) $4,300.0 million and (y) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

SECTION 4.12. Liens.

(a) The Issuers shall not, and shall not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or assume any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any of their or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Principal Property (whether such Principal Property are now existing or owed or hereafter created or acquired) that secures indebtedness for borrowed money, unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or, at an Issuer’s option, on a senior basis to) the indebtedness so secured.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.12(a), the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, create, incur or assume any Lien which would otherwise be prohibited by Section 4.12(a) if, after giving effect thereto and at the time of determination, Aggregate Debt of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries secured by Liens on any of their respective Principal Properties does not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (x) $4,300.0 million and (y) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

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(c) Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of any series of Notes pursuant to Section 4.12(a) shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes of such series.

SECTION 4.13. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5, Parent shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of such Issuer or Guarantor and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuers and the Guarantors; provided that Parent shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of the Issuers or the Guarantors, if Parent in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.14. Change of Control Triggering Event.

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to a series of Notes, unless, prior to or concurrently with the time the Issuers are required to make a Change of Control Offer, the Issuers have mailed or delivered, or otherwise sent through electronic transmission, a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes of such series pursuant to the optional redemption terms set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, as applicable, governing such series of Notes or pursuant to Section 11.01, the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes of such series pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof (or such higher amount as the Issuers may determine (any Change of Control Offer at a higher amount, an “Alternate Offer”)) (such price, the “Change of Control Payment”) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer by electronic delivery or first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of such series of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with the following information:

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes of such series properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 20 Business Days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); provided that the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed, in the Issuers’ discretion, until such time (including more than 60 days after the date such notice is sent) as any or all such conditions referred to in clause (7) below shall be satisfied or waived;

 

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(3) that any Note of such series not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment plus accrued and unpaid interest on all properly tendered Notes, all Notes of such series accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that if less than all of such Holder’s Notes are tendered for purchase, such Holder will be issued new Notes (or, in the case of Global Notes, such Notes shall be reduced by such amount of Notes that the Holder has tendered) and such new Notes will be equal in aggregate principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof);

(7) if such notice is sent prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event or such other conditions specified therein and shall describe each such condition, and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion (including more than 60 days after the notice is mailed or delivered), the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or that such purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that the Issuers reasonably believe that any or all such conditions (including the occurrence of the Change of Control Triggering Event) will not be satisfied or waived by the Change of Control Payment Date, or by the Change of Control Payment Date as so delayed; and

(8) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow.

While the Notes of a series are in global form and the Issuers make an offer to purchase all of the Notes of such series pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder of such series of Notes may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes of such series through the facilities of DTC, subject to its rules and regulations.

The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer). To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue thereof.

 

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(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Notes of the applicable series issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

(c) The Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event or such other conditions specified therein, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(d) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Issuers, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Issuers as set forth in clause (c) of this Section 4.14, purchases all of the Notes of such series that have been validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party shall have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer as set forth in this Section 4.14, to redeem (with respect to the Issuers) or purchase (with respect to a third party) all Notes of such series that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) at a price in cash equal to the Change of Control Payment (excluding any early tender premium or similar premium and any accrued and unpaid interest to any Holder in such Change of Control Payment) in respect of the Second Change of Control Payment Date, including, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Second Change of Control Payment Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling on or prior to the Second Change of Control Payment Date.

(e) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06.

(f) The provisions of this Section 4.14 relating to the Issuers’ obligation to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes of any series upon a Change of Control Triggering Event may be waived or modified at any time with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding.

 

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(g) A Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, the Notes and/or the Note Guarantees so long as the tender of Notes by a Holder is not conditioned upon the delivery of consents by such Holder. In addition, the Issuers or any third party approved in writing by the Issuers that is making the Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may increase or decrease the Change of Control Payment (or decline to pay any early tender or similar premium) being offered to Holders at any time in their sole discretion, so long as the Change of Control Payment is at least equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Issuer or Guarantor is the surviving Person), consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (x) in the case of a Division where an Issuer or Guarantor is the Dividing Person, each Division Successor shall remain or become an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and (y) in all other cases, an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation (if other than an Issuer or a Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia (in each of clauses (x) and (y) above, such Issuer, such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the case where the Successor Company of an Issuer is not a corporation, a co-issuer of the Notes is a corporation;

(2) the Successor Company, if other than an Issuer or a Guarantor, expressly assumes, in the case of a Guarantor, all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement and, in the case of an Issuer, all of the obligations of such Issuer under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

(3) immediately after such transaction, no Event of Default exists.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable, and such Issuer or Guarantor, as applicable, shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

(1) any Subsidiary of Parent may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to Parent and any of its Subsidiaries (including the Issuers); and

 

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(2) an Issuer or a Guarantor may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into an Affiliate of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Issuer or such Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof.

SECTION 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation, merger or amalgamation, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent or an Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which Parent or such Issuer is merged or amalgamated or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to Parent or such Issuer shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to Parent or such Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of Parent or such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as Parent or such Issuer herein; provided that Parent or Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of Parent’s or such Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.

(a) As used in this Indenture with respect to Notes of any series, unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in an Officer’s Certificate, a supplemental indenture or resolutions of the Issuers’ Boards, as applicable, an “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Notes of any series, means any one of the following events (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):

(1) the failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) such series of the Notes when due and payable;

(2) the failure to pay any interest installment or Additional Interest (as required by the Registration Rights Agreement) on such series of Notes when due and payable, which failure continues for 30 days;

(3) the failure by the Issuers to comply for 90 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series with its covenants or other agreements (other than those described in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in this Indenture; provided that in the case of a failure to comply with the provisions described in Section 4.03, such period of continuance of such default or breach shall be 180 days after written notice described in this clause (3) has been given; provided that no such notice may be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to the Holders, more than two years prior to such notice; and

 

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(4) any Issuer pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against any Issuer, in a proceeding in which any Issuer is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of any Issuer or for all or substantially all of the property of any Issuer; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of any Issuer;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) of Section 6.01(a), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(2) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration.

If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01(a)) with respect to Notes of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of such series may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to such series of Notes shall be due and payable immediately. The Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes of any series if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines acceleration is not in the best interest of the Holders of such series of Notes.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01(a), all outstanding Notes shall be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

In the event of a declaration of acceleration with respect to Notes of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of such series by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders of such series of Notes rescind such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to such series of Notes (except nonpayment of principal, interest, Additional Interest, if any, or premium, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

The Issuers will be required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Parent, an Officer’s Certificate indicating whether the signer of the certificate knows of any failure by the Issuers or the Guarantors to comply with all conditions and covenants of this Indenture during such fiscal year.

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to Notes of any series at the time outstanding, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on such series of Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of such series of Notes or this Indenture with respect to such series of Notes.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of such series of Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default with respect to such series of Notes shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of any series by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive any existing Default with respect to such series of Notes and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note of such series held by a non-consenting Holder of such series of Notes (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer); provided, subject to Section 6.02, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of such series may rescind a declaration of acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default with respect to such series of Notes shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to such series of Notes arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority.

Subject to Section 6.06, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series and the Trustee may act at the direction of the Holders without liability. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note of such series or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07, no Holder of a Note of a series shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series or for any remedy thereunder unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to such series of Notes is continuing with respect to the Notes of such series;

(2) Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the total outstanding Notes of such series have requested that the Trustee to pursue the remedy in writing;

(3) Holders of such series of Notes have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee for such Notes indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any cost, loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the total outstanding Notes of such series have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period;

provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Note on or after the respective due date expressed in such Note.

A Holder of any series of Notes may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of such series of Notes or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of Notes of such series.

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note of any series to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest on such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (2) with respect to any series of Notes occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on such Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of Notes of any series has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of Notes of such series shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of Notes of such series shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 6.12. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be 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 the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to Parent or an Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, 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 to it for the reasonable

 

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compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, 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, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. 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 the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.13. Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

(ii) to Holders of the applicable series of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on such Notes or such series of Notes for principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes or such series of Notes for principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(iii) to Parent, an Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a Record Date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.13.

SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs.

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 a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of any series.

 

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ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of any series 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.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of any series:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Section 7.01(c) does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes of any series unless the Holders of the Notes of such series have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the 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 Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from an Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of such Issuer.

(f) [Reserved].

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes of the applicable series and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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(j) The Trustee may request that the Issuers and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of the individuals and/or titles of Officers (with specimen signatures) authorized at such times to take specific actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person specified as so authorized in any certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes of any series and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of any Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign as Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults.

If a Default with respect to any series of Notes occurs and is continuing and the Trustee has received written notice thereof, the Trustee shall send to Holders of such series of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders of such series of Notes notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of such series of Notes. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

Within 60 days after each October 15, following the issuance of a series of Notes under this Indenture, and for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall send to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also send all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time it is sent to the Holders of the Notes of any series shall be sent to the Issuers and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes of that series are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes of any series are listed on any stock exchange.

 

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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuers and any Guarantors shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers and any Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel) in addition to the compensation for its services.

The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against any Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, any Issuer or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of its obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors, if any, under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes of that series. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign with respect to the Notes of one or more series in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to that series of Notes by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing with 31 days prior written notice. The Issuers may remove the Trustee with respect to Notes of one or more series if:

 

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(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed with respect to the Notes of any one or more series or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of such series may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of any one or more series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers’ expense), the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes of the applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder of Notes of the applicable series for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each series of Notes for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to Holders of each such series of Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 applied to all outstanding Notes of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of any series and the related Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of the applicable series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, in each case, with respect to such series of Notes) except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of such series of Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04;

(b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such series of Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

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(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 8.03.

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 4.14 with respect to such Notes of the applicable series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and Notes of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders of Notes of such series (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that Notes of such series shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to Notes of such series, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to Notes of such series under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and Notes of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, Sections 6.01(a)(3), 6.01(a)(4) and 6.01(a)(5) shall not constitute Events of Default with respect to Notes of such series.

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 to Notes of any series:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the applicable series of Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations (that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount), or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized public accounting firm (insofar as any U.S. Government Obligations are so included), to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on such Notes on the Stated Maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to Maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

 

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(b) since the issuance of such series of Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, an Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which an Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers or any Guarantor or others; and

(7) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 in respect of the Notes of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes of such series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including an Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of Notes of such series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Notes of such series.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized public accounting firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(2)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of the applicable series of Notes.

SECTION 8.06. Repayment to Issuers.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of the applicable series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of the Notes of such series to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02, the Issuers, the Guarantors (only to the extent an amendment or supplement affects or relates to the Note Guarantees or this Indenture, and for the avoidance of doubt excluding any amendment or supplement the sole purpose of which is to add an additional Guarantor), the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Notes of one or more series and any related Note Guarantee without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity or omission or correct any defect or inconsistency;

 

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(2) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of the Notes of such series in any material respect;

(3) to evidence the succession of another Person to an Issuer or any Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants, agreements and obligations of such Issuer or Guarantor, as the case may be, under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, this Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement, as described in Section 5.01;

(4) to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers with respect to such series or to add further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to the Issuers or the Guarantors for the protection of the Holders of any series of the Notes, and to add any additional defaults or Events of Default with respect to such series for the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s failure to comply with any such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions;

(5) to modify or amend this Indenture in such a manner to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(6) to add Note Guarantees with respect to any or all of the Notes of such series or to release any Guarantor or Note Guarantee if at the time of such release such Guarantor is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor;

(7) to add collateral with respect to any or all the Notes of such series;

(8) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(9) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes of such series;

(10) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series;

(11) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary;

(12) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes or private exchange notes (which shall be identical to Exchange Notes except that they will not be freely transferable) in exchange for Notes of such series and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Notes of such series, as a single class of securities;

(13) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(14) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes of any series, any related Note Guarantee or the Registration Rights Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Notes” or “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights” sections of the Offering Memorandum the extent that such provisions in the “Description of Notes” or “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights” sections of the Offering Memorandum were intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in, this Indenture, such Notes, such Note Guarantee or the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(15) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of any Notes or Exchange Notes; provided, however, that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in such Notes or Exchange Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer such Notes or Exchange Notes;

(16) to establish the form or terms of Notes of any series as permitted by Section 2.01; or

(17) to enter into the supplemental indentures governing each series of Initial Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuers, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture, or amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, provided that the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture, or amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement that affect its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. The consent of the Holders is not necessary under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02 with respect to each series of Notes, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to its Note Guarantee) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes of one or more series, the Note Guarantees and the Registration Rights Agreement with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series (including Additional Notes of such series, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the applicable series of Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Notes (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on such Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance in respect of a series of Notes with any provision of this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Note Guarantees or such series of Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series (including Additional Notes of such series, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes of such series). Section 2.08 and Section 2.09 shall determine which Notes of such series are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuers, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, or amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement unless such amended or supplemental indenture, or amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement directly affect 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 amended or supplemental indenture or Registration Rights Agreement,.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each Holder of Notes affected thereby, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such Note;

(2) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, any such Note;

(3) reduce any premium, if any, or Redemption Price payable upon the redemption of any such Note;

(4) reduce the amount of the principal of an original discount Note that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

(5) change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Note is payable;

(6) amend the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture or any Note of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest, if any, on such Note on or after the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of any such Note;

(7) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required to approve any such modification or amendment or for any waiver of compliance with, or Defaults under this Indenture;

(8) modify any of the provisions in Sections 6.04 and 6.05, except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby; or

(9) modify any of the above provisions.

SECTION 9.03. [Reserved].

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a Record Date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a Record Date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such Record Date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such Record Date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such Record Date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes of a series may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes of such series that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until their Boards approve it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in respect of any supplemental indenture the sole purpose of which is to add additional guarantors.

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01. Note Guarantee.

Subject to this Article 10, from and after the Issue Date and upon the execution and delivery of (x) this Indenture or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof, any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, or interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee

 

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hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of an Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against an Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the Maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantees.

Each Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against an Issuer for liquidation or reorganization, should such Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of such Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Note Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

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In case any provision of any Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Note Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Note Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

SECTION 10.02. [Reserved].

SECTION 10.03. Execution and Delivery.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor (x) has executed this Indenture or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof, shall execute the supplemental indenture substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D.

Upon the execution and delivery of (x) this Indenture or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof, any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, each Guarantor who executes such supplemental indenture agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on a supplemental indenture to this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

SECTION 10.04. Subrogation.

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

SECTION 10.05. Benefits Acknowledged.

Upon the execution and delivery of (x) this Indenture or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof, any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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SECTION 10.06. Release of Note Guarantees.

Each Note Guarantee of a series of Notes by a Guarantor shall provide by its terms that its Obligations under this Indenture with respect to such series and such Note Guarantee shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee, upon the Issuers exercising the legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option with respect to such series in accordance with Article 8 or the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture with respect to such series being discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon the Issuers’ request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Notes specified by the Issuers and any related Note Guarantees (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes of any series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series of Notes, when:

(1) either (A) all Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and (ii) Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers or the Guarantors and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or the Guarantors or discharged from such trust), have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(i) have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise; or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or

(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers;

and the Issuers or any Guarantor, in the case of subclause (i), (ii) or (iii) of clause (B) above, have (x) irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee U.S. dollars, or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, reasonably determinable by the Issuers (in the exercise of their sole and absolute discretion) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and

 

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payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and (y) delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such series of Notes at Maturity or the Redemption Date; provided, that upon any redemption that occurs prior to a Par Call Date, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Redemption Price calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Redemption Price Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Redemption Price Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Redemption Price Deficit that confirms that such Redemption Price Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

(2) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers with respect to such series of Notes; and

(3) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series of Notes have been complied with.

In the event there are outstanding Notes of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to the Notes of such series to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met. In the event there are two or more Trustees with respect to a series of Notes hereunder, then the effectiveness of any such instrument shall be conditioned upon receipt of such instruments from all Trustees with respect to the applicable series of Notes hereunder.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of this Section 11.01, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 shall survive.

SECTION 11.02. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as their own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto as set forth in the Registrar, of the principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, any Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and such series of Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium or interest on any Notes of such series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 12

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If, following the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 13.02. Notices.

Any notice or communication by an Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address, or given electronically:

If to an Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

c/o Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Fax No.: (512) 283-0544

Attention: Robert Potts

Email: Robert.Potts@dell.com

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.,

as Trustee

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Fax No.: (713) 483-6954

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Any Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, and at the time sent, if given electronically; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

 

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Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as long as any series of Notes are in the form of a Global Note, notice to the Holders of such series of Notes may be made electronically in accordance with procedures of the Depositary for such Note.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If an Issuer delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall deliver a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Issuers and/or the Guarantors, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Issuers and/or the Guarantors, as applicable, whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuers and/or the Guarantors, as applicable, elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Issuers and the Guarantors understand and agree that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Issuers, the Guarantors and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Issuers and/or the Guarantors, as applicable. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuers and the Guarantors agree: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Issuers and/or the Guarantors, as applicable; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

 

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SECTION 13.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders of Notes of any series may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders of such series of Notes or other series of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or such series of Notes or all Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

SECTION 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by an Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05), stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

SECTION 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 13.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

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SECTION 13.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of an Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their parent companies or entities (other than such Issuer in respect of the Notes and each Guarantor in respect of its Note Guarantee) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 13.08. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, any Note Guarantee and the Notes, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.

SECTION 13.09. Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS, THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, 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.

SECTION 13.10. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable 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, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

SECTION 13.11. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Issuers agree (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions related to this Indenture (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so that the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability. The terms of this Section 13.11 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 13.12. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of Parent, Denali Intermediate, Dell and their respective Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 13.13. Qualification of Indenture.

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture with respect to the series of Notes which are subject to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and such series of Notes and printing this Indenture and such Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuers and the Guarantors any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinion of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 13.14. Successors.

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind each of their respective successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06.

SECTION 13.15. Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 13.16. [Reserved].

SECTION 13.17. Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic 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, PDF or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries 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, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

 

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SECTION 13.18. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table 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 of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 13.19. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreement.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuers or any Guarantor or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
EMC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title:  Senior Vice President, Corporate Securities and Finance Counsel and Assistant Secretary

DENALI INTERMEDIATE INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
DELL INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

[Signature Page to Indenture]


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
 

COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Kenneth Helbig

  Name: Kenneth Helbig
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP [                ]

ISIN [                ]

[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing up to

$______________]

[                ]% Senior Notes due [                ]

 

No. ___    [$______________]

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.

and

EMC CORPORATION

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of ___________________ United States Dollars] on [                ].

Interest Payment Dates: [                ] and [                ]

Record Dates: [                ] and [                ]

 

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
EMC CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the [                ] Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

   

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

Dated:      
    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[Back of Note]

[         ]% Senior Notes due [         ]

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), and EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at [    ]% per annum, from [                ] until Maturity and shall pay Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Issuers shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on [                ] and [                ] of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from [                ]; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be [                ]. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The interest rate on the Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application. This note is one of the series designated on the face hereof (individually, a “Note” and, collectively, the “Notes”).

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of the Notes at the close of business (if applicable) on the [                ] or [                ] (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Base Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that all payments of principal of and interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes will be made in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under the Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by the [    ] Notes Supplemental Indenture No. [    ], dated as of [                ] (the “[    ] Notes Supplemental Indenture No. [    ]”, and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as their [    ]% Senior Notes due [                ]. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes constituting Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture and Section [    ] of the [     ] Notes Supplemental Indenture No. [    ]. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of the Notes are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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5. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE. The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer or an Alternate Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

6. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer, an Alternate Offer or other tender offer, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

7. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

8. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Notes or the related Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

9. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the Notes, the rights and obligations of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

10. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee.

11. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes representing Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers and the representatives of the initial purchasers set forth therein (as supplemented, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest.    

12. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

13. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

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The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

c/o Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Fax No.: (512) 283-0544

Attention: Robert Potts

Email: Robert.Potts@dell.com

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:                                                                                                                                            

                                     (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                             

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:* __________________________________

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-8


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:                                              

Signature Guarantee:* __________________________________

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $__________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease

in Principal

Amount

  

Amount of increase

in Principal

Amount of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount
of

this Global Note

following such

decrease or
increase

  

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Note Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Attention: Robert Potts

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Re: [                ]% senior notes due [                ]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (as amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_______________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to _______________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in

 

B-1


the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an Issuer or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and, if applicable, in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

  1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a)

[ ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP [                ]), or

 

  (ii)

[ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [                ]), or

 

  (b)

[ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

  2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a)

[ ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP [                ]), or

 

  (ii)

[ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [                ]), or

 

  (iii)

[ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [                ]); or

 

  (b)

[ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c)

[ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Attention: Robert Potts

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

Re: [                ]% senior notes due [                ]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (as amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

___________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $__________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-2


b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [    ] 144A Global Note [    ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of [__________], among [__________________] (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), and EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), are party to an indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, as supplemented by the [supplemental indenture, dated as of [                ] (together, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of $[                ] aggregate principal amount of [senior notes] (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Guarantors, all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture without the consent of any Holder of any series of Notes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to be a Guarantor under the Indenture and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to a Guarantor, including Article 10 thereof.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(5) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(6) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

D-1


(7) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

D-2


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

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-3

EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

Execution Version

2041 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1

This 2041 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021 (this “2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture”), is made and entered into among Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability corporation (“Dell International”), EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined below) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Base Indenture referred to below.

RECITALS

A. Section 9.01(16) of the Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers, the guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture” and, together with this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) provides that, without the consent of Holders of any series of Notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture to establish the form or terms of Initial Notes of any series pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture.

B. The Issuers desire to issue $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 (the “2041 Notes”), and in connection therewith, the Issuers have duly determined to make, execute and deliver to the Trustee this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture to set forth the terms and provisions of the 2041 Notes as required by the Base Indenture. This 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture shall supplement the Base Indenture insofar as it will apply only to the 2041 Notes issued hereunder (and not to any other series of Notes).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the 2041 Notes:

Section 1. 2041 Notes. Pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture, the terms and provisions of the 2041 Notes are as follows:

(a) The title of the 2041 Notes shall be “3.375% Senior Notes due 2041.”

(b) The 2041 Notes shall be initially limited to $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Issuers may, without the consent of the Holders of the 2041 Notes, increase such aggregate principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions, except for any differences in the issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first Interest Payment Date and the first date from which interest will accrue. The 2041 Notes issued originally hereunder and any additional Notes of such series subsequently issued, shall be treated as a single class for purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes of such series will have a separate CUSIP number and ISIN number from the Initial Notes of such series.

(c) The price at which the 2041 Notes shall be issued to the public is 99.668%.


(d) The Stated Maturity for the 2041 Notes shall be on December 15, 2041. The 2041 Notes shall not require any principal or premium payments prior to the Stated Maturity.

(e) The rate at which the 2041 Notes shall bear interest shall be 3.375% per annum, as set forth in Section 1 of the form of 2041 Note attached hereto as Exhibit A. Interest on the 2041 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid, from December 13, 2021; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be June 15, 2022. Each June 15 and December 15 in each year, commencing June 15, 2022, shall be an Interest Payment Date for the 2041 Notes. The June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date shall be the Record Date for the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date, even if such 2041 Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Base Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If an Interest Payment Date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the 2041 Notes to the extent lawful, and the Issuers shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. In addition, the Issuers shall pay Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. All references in the Indenture, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the 2041 Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest required to be paid pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

(f) Payments of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the 2041 Notes represented by one or more Global Notes initially registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) or its nominee with respect to the 2041 Notes shall be made by the Issuers through the Trustee in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be.

(g) The 2041 Notes shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms and provisions set forth in Section 2 hereof and (to the extent they do not conflict with Section 2 hereof) the terms and provisions of Article 3 of the Base Indenture.

(h) There shall be no mandatory sinking fund for the payments of the 2041 Notes.

(i) The 2041 Notes shall be represented by one or more Global Notes deposited with the Depositary and registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary. The 2041 Notes, including the form of the certificate of authentication, shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated by reference in this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture.

(j) The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall be the Trustee for the 2041 Notes.

(k) Article 10 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the 2041 Notes.

(l) To the extent not set forth otherwise herein, the provisions of Article 2 of the Base Indenture are applicable.

Section 2. Optional Redemption of the 2041 Notes.

(a) Prior to June 15, 2041 (the “Par Call Date”), the 2041 Notes will be redeemable, at any time, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Issuers’ option, at the Redemption Price equal to the greater of:

 

-2-


  (i)

100% of the principal amount of the 2041 Notes to be redeemed; and

 

  (ii)

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2041 Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the Redemption Date) that would be due if the 2041 Notes matured on the Par Call Date, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus 25 basis points;

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the 2041 Notes to be redeemed that are due and payable on Interest Payment Dates falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on the Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Record Date.

(b) At any time and from time to time on or after the Par Call Date, the 2041 Notes will be redeemable, at any time, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Issuers’ option, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2041 Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on such 2041 Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(c) A notice of redemption need not set forth the exact Redemption Price but only the manner of calculation thereof.

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 2 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Base Indenture.

Section 3. Definitions.

(a) “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 2041 Notes to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose, that the 2041 Notes to be redeemed mature on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such 2041 Notes.

(b) “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, such quotation.

(c) “Quotation Agent” means each Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuers.

(d) “Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (or their respective affiliates that are Primary Treasury Dealers); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Issuers will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuers.

(e) “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

-3-


(f) “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

Section 4. Governing Law. THIS 2041 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries 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, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

Section 6. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of 2041 Notes. The recitals contained herein and in the 2041 Notes, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture or of the 2041 Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of 2041 Notes or the proceeds thereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

-4-


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

 

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant

          Secretary

EMC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant

          Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture (2041 Notes)]


DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title: Senior Vice President, Corporate Securities and

          Finance Counsel and Assistant Secretary

DENALI INTERMEDIATE INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant

          Secretary

DELL INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant

          Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture (2041 Notes)]


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Mitchell L. Brumwell

  Name: Mitchell L. Brumwell
  Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture (2041 Notes)]


EXHIBIT A

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE 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. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE 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.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR (IN THE CASE OF THE 144A NOTES) OR 40 DAYS (IN THE CASE OF THE REGULATION S NOTES) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A UNDER THE


SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OTHER THAN THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER HEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING OR HOLDING THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WITH THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR (C) ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATION 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-101, AS MODIFIED BY SECTION 3(42) OF ERISA) OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (A) OR (B), OR (II)(A) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) BY IT WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND (B) NONE OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IS ITS FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO ITS DECISION TO INVEST IN AND HOLD THIS SECURITY AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

A-2


CUSIP [                ]1

ISIN [                ]2

[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing up to

$[                ]

3.375% Senior Notes due 2041

 

No.                        $[                ]

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.

and

EMC CORPORATION

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto on December 15, 2041.

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15

Record Dates: June 1 and December 1

 

1

144A: 24703D BE0

Reg S: U24724 AQ6

 

2 

144A: US24703DBE04

Reg S: USU24724AQ65

 

A-3


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: December 13, 2021

 

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
EMC CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-4


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

   

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

Dated: December 13, 2021      
    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


3.375% Senior Notes due 2041

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), and EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this 2041 Note at 3.375% per annum, from December 13, 2021 until Maturity and shall pay Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Issuers shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the 2041 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 13, 2021; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be June 15, 2022. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2041 Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2041 Notes. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The interest rate on the 2041 Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application. This 2041 Note is one of the series designated on the face hereof (individually, a “2041 Note” and, collectively, the “2041 Notes”).

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the 2041 Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of the 2041 Notes at the close of business (if applicable) on the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Base Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the 2041 Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that all payments of principal of and interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the 2041 Notes represented by one or more Global Notes will be made in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the 2041 Notes under the Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by the 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1”, and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. This 2041 Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as their 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes constituting Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture and Section 1(b) of the 2041 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1. The terms of the 2041 Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The 2041 Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of the 2041 Notes are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this 2041 Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-6


5. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE. The 2041 Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer or an Alternate Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 2041 Notes.

6. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The 2041 Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer, an Alternate Offer or other tender offer, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

7. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

8. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the 2041 Notes or the related Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

9. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the 2041 Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the 2041 Notes, the rights and obligations of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the 2041 Notes shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

10. AUTHENTICATION. This 2041 Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee.

11. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the 2041 Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes representing Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers and the representatives of the initial purchasers set forth therein (as supplemented, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest.

12. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE 2041 NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

13. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers to be printed on the 2041 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the 2041 Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the 2041 Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

A-7


The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

c/o Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Fax No.: (512) 283-0544

Attention: Robert Potts

Email: Robert.Potts@dell.com

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this 2041 Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this 2041 Note to:                                                                                                                                                   

                                                     (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                      

to transfer this 2041 Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date: _____________________      
  1.   Your Signature:  

 

   

(Sign exactly as your name appears on

the face of this 2041 Note)

Signature Guarantee:* ________________________________

   

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this 2041 Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.14                

If you want to elect to have only part of this 2041 Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________                             

 

Date: _____________________      
  2.   Your Signature:  

 

   

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the

face of this 2041 Note)

  3.    
  Tax Identification No.:  

 

Signature Guarantee:*                                                                  

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[__________]. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease

in Principal

Amount

  

Amount of increase

in Principal

Amount of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount
of

this Global Note

following such

decrease or
increase

  

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Note Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11

EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

Execution Version

2051 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1

This 2051 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021 (this “2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture”), is made and entered into among Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability corporation (“Dell International”), EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined below) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Base Indenture referred to below.

RECITALS

A. Section 9.01(16) of the Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers, the guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture” and, together with this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) provides that, without the consent of Holders of any series of Notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture to establish the form or terms of Initial Notes of any series pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture.

B. The Issuers desire to issue $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes”), and in connection therewith, the Issuers have duly determined to make, execute and deliver to the Trustee this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture to set forth the terms and provisions of the 2051 Notes as required by the Base Indenture. This 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture shall supplement the Base Indenture insofar as it will apply only to the 2051 Notes issued hereunder (and not to any other series of Notes).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the 2051 Notes:

Section 1. 2051 Notes. Pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture, the terms and provisions of the 2051 Notes are as follows:

(a) The title of the 2051 Notes shall be “3.450% Senior Notes due 2051.”

(b) The 2051 Notes shall be initially limited to $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Issuers may, without the consent of the Holders of the 2051 Notes, increase such aggregate principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions, except for any differences in the issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first Interest Payment Date and the first date from which interest will accrue. The 2051 Notes issued originally hereunder and any additional Notes of such series subsequently issued, shall be treated as a single class for purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes of such series will have a separate CUSIP number and ISIN number from the Initial Notes of such series.

(c) The price at which the 2051 Notes shall be issued to the public is 99.963%.


(d) The Stated Maturity for the 2051 Notes shall be on December 15, 2051. The 2051 Notes shall not require any principal or premium payments prior to the Stated Maturity.

(e) The rate at which the 2051 Notes shall bear interest shall be 3.450% per annum, as set forth in Section 1 of the form of 2051 Note attached hereto as Exhibit A. Interest on the 2051 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid, from December 13, 2021; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be June 15, 2022. Each June 15 and December 15 in each year, commencing June 15, 2022, shall be an Interest Payment Date for the 2051 Notes. The June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date shall be the Record Date for the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date, even if such 2051 Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Base Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If an Interest Payment Date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the 2051 Notes to the extent lawful, and the Issuers shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. In addition, the Issuers shall pay Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. All references in the Indenture, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the 2051 Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest required to be paid pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

(f) Payments of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the 2051 Notes represented by one or more Global Notes initially registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) or its nominee with respect to the 2051 Notes shall be made by the Issuers through the Trustee in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be.

(g) The 2051 Notes shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms and provisions set forth in Section 2 hereof and (to the extent they do not conflict with Section 2 hereof) the terms and provisions of Article 3 of the Base Indenture.

(h) There shall be no mandatory sinking fund for the payments of the 2051 Notes.

(i) The 2051 Notes shall be represented by one or more Global Notes deposited with the Depositary and registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary. The 2051 Notes, including the form of the certificate of authentication, shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated by reference in this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture.

(j) The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall be the Trustee for the 2051 Notes.

(k) Article 10 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the 2051 Notes.

(l) To the extent not set forth otherwise herein, the provisions of Article 2 of the Base Indenture are applicable.

Section 2. Optional Redemption of the 2051 Notes.

(a) Prior to June 15, 2051 (the “Par Call Date”), the 2051 Notes will be redeemable, at any time, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Issuers’ option, at the Redemption Price equal to the greater of:

 

-2-


  (i)

100% of the principal amount of the 2051 Notes to be redeemed; and

 

  (ii)

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2051 Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the Redemption Date) that would be due if the 2051 Notes matured on the Par Call Date, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus 30 basis points;

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the 2051 Notes to be redeemed that are due and payable on Interest Payment Dates falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on the Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Record Date.

(b) At any time and from time to time on or after the Par Call Date, the 2051 Notes will be redeemable, at any time, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Issuers’ option, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2051 Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on such 2051 Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(c) A notice of redemption need not set forth the exact Redemption Price but only the manner of calculation thereof.

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 2 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Base Indenture.

Section 3. Definitions.

(a) “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 2051 Notes to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose, that the 2051 Notes to be redeemed mature on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such 2051 Notes.

(b) “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, such quotation.

(c) “Quotation Agent” means each Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuers.

(d) “Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (or their respective affiliates that are Primary Treasury Dealers); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Issuers will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuers.

(e) “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

-3-


(f) “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

Section 4. Governing Law. THIS 2051 NOTES SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries 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, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

Section 6. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of 2051 Notes. The recitals contained herein and in the 2051 Notes, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture or of the 2051 Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of 2051 Notes or the proceeds thereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

-4-


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

 

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
EMC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

Name: Robert L. Potts

Title:  Senior Vice President, Corporate Securities and Finance Counsel and Assistant Secretary

DENALI INTERMEDIATE INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

Name: Robert L. Potts
Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
DELL INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

Name: Robert L. Potts
Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Mitchell L. Brumwell

  Name: Mitchell L. Brumwell
  Title: Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE 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. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE 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.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR (IN THE CASE OF THE 144A NOTES) OR 40 DAYS (IN THE CASE OF THE REGULATION S NOTES) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A UNDER THE


SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OTHER THAN THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER HEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING OR HOLDING THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WITH THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR (C) ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATION 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-101, AS MODIFIED BY SECTION 3(42) OF ERISA) OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (A) OR (B), OR (II)(A) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) BY IT WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND (B) NONE OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IS ITS FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO ITS DECISION TO INVEST IN AND HOLD THIS SECURITY AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

 

A-2


CUSIP [                ]1

ISIN [                ]2

[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing up to

$[                ]

3.450% Senior Notes due 2051

 

No.                 $[                ]

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.

and

EMC CORPORATION

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto on December 15, 2051.

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15

Record Dates: June 1 and December 1

 

 

1 

144A: 24703D BG5

Reg S: U24724 AR4

 

2 

144A: US24703DBG51

Reg S: USU24724AR49

 

A-3


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: December 13, 2021

 

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
By:  

                 

  Name:
  Title:
EMC CORPORATION
By:  

                 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-4


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

   

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

Dated: December 13, 2021      
    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


3.450% Senior Notes due 2051

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Dell International L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), and EMC Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this 2051 Note at 3.450% per annum, from December 13, 2021 until Maturity and shall pay Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Issuers shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the 2051 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 13, 2021; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be June 15, 2022. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2051 Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2051 Notes. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The interest rate on the 2051 Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application. This 2051 Note is one of the series designated on the face hereof (individually, a “2051 Note” and, collectively, the “2051 Notes”).

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the 2051 Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of the 2051 Notes at the close of business (if applicable) on the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Base Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the 2051 Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that all payments of principal of and interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the 2051 Notes represented by one or more Global Notes will be made in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the 2051 Notes under the Base Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by the 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 13, 2021 (the “2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1”, and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. This 2051 Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as their 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes constituting Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture and Section 1(b) of the 2051 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 1. The terms of the 2051 Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The 2051 Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of the 2051 Notes are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this 2051 Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-6


5. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE. The 2051 Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer or an Alternate Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 2051 Notes.

6. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The 2051 Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer, an Alternate Offer or other tender offer, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

7. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

8. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the 2051 Notes or the related Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

9. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the 2051 Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the 2051 Notes, the rights and obligations of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the 2051 Notes shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

10. AUTHENTICATION. This 2051 Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee.

11. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the 2051 Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes representing Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers and the representatives of the initial purchasers set forth therein (as supplemented, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest.    

12. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE 2051 NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

13. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers to be printed on the 2051 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers and/or similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the 2051 Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the 2051 Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

A-7


The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

c/o Dell Inc.

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Fax No.: (512) 283-0544

Attention: Robert Potts

Email: Robert.Potts@dell.com

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this 2051 Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this 2051 Note to:                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                     (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                          to transfer this 2051 Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date: _____________________      

1.

    Your Signature:  

 

    (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this 2051 Note)

Signature Guarantee:*                                                              

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this 2051 Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this 2051 Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

  2.       Your Signature:                                                                      
        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this 2051 Note)
  3.      
  Tax Identification No.:  

                     

Signature Guarantee:*                                                 

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[__________]. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease

in Principal

Amount

  

Amount of increase

in Principal

Amount of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount
of

this Global Note

following such

decrease or
increase

  

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Note Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11

EX-4.4

Exhibit 4.4

Execution Version

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of December 13, 2021

Among

DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.,

EMC CORPORATION,

the Guarantors party hereto,

and

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.,

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

and

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

As Representatives for the Initial Purchasers

$1,000,000,000 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041

$1,250,000,000 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051

 

 

 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of December 13, 2021, among DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Dell International”), EMC CORPORATION, a Massachusetts corporation (“EMC” and, together with Dell International, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined below) and Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as the representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”) named on Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).

This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement, dated December 6, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Issuers, the guarantors party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and the Representatives on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of (i) $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 (the “2041 Notes”) and (ii) $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes” and, together with the 2041 Notes, the “Notes” and each a “series of Notes”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture (as defined below), the Guarantors have agreed to guarantee (collectively, the “Guarantees”) the Issuers’ obligations under the Notes and the Indenture. References to the “Securities” shall mean one or more Notes of the applicable series of Notes and the Guarantees thereof. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders of the Securities. The execution and delivery by the Issuers and the Guarantors of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers’ obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest: See Section 5(a) hereof.

Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 6 hereof.

Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Applicable Period: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Business Day: Shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 14d-1 under the Exchange Act.

Effectiveness Date: With respect to any Shelf Registration Statement, the 90th day after the Filing Date with respect thereto; provided, however, that if the Effectiveness Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a) hereof.

Event Date: See Section 5(b) hereof.


Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Notes: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Securities: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Filing Date: The 90th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice as required pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof; provided, however, that if the Filing Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Filing Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

FINRA: See Section 6(r) hereof.

Guarantees: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Guarantors: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Security or Registrable Securities, in each case for so long as such Person holds any Registrable Securities.

Indenture: The indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture for each series of Notes, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Information: See Section 6(n) hereof.

Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.

Inspectors: See Section 6(n) hereof.

Issue Date: December 13, 2021, the date of original issuance of the Notes.

Issuers: Dell International and EMC, collectively.

New Guarantees: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Notes: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Participant: See Section 8(a) hereof.

Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm or other legal entity.

 

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Private Exchange: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and Rule 430C under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.

Records: See Section 6(n) hereof.

Registrable Securities: Each Security upon its original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Security as to which Section 2(d)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto, until, in each case, the earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(d)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) has been declared effective by the SEC and such Security, Exchange Security or such Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Security has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security or Exchange Securities that may be resold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than any restriction due solely to the status of any Holder thereof being an affiliate of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act), (iii) such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or any indenture (if different) governing the Exchange Security and Private Exchange Notes, as applicable, or (iv) the date which is four years after the Issue Date.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers that covers any of the Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, including, in each case, the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Rule 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rule 405: Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Rule 415: Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

Rule 424: Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

 

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SEC: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Notice: See Section 2(d) hereof.

Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: Any Registration Statement relating to a Shelf Registration.

Shelf Suspension Period: See Section 3(a) hereof.

Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.

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

Trustee: (i) The trustee under the Indenture and (ii) the trustee under any indenture(s) (if different) governing the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees).

Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Except as otherwise specifically provided, all references in this Agreement to acts, laws, statutes, rules, regulations, releases, forms, no-action letters and other regulatory requirements (collectively, “Regulatory Requirements”) shall be deemed to refer also to any amendments thereto and all subsequent Regulatory Requirements adopted as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect therewith; provided that Rule 144 shall not be deemed to amend or replace Rule 144A.

2. Exchange Offer

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange any and all of the applicable series of Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Issuers (the “Exchange Notes”), guaranteed, to the extent applicable, on an unsecured senior basis by Dell Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”) and the other Guarantors (the “New Guarantees” and, together with the Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Securities”), that are identical in all material respects to the applicable series of Notes except that (i) the Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon, (ii) interest thereon shall accrue from the later of (x) the last date on which interest was paid on such series of Notes or, if no such interest has been paid, from the Issue Date or (y) if such Note is surrendered for exchange on a date in a period that includes the record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such Exchange Offer and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date, (iii) the Exchange

 

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Securities will not contain provisions for the Additional Interest contemplated in Section 5 below, and (iv) the Exchange Securities shall be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with the TIA) and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA. The Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable laws. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) prepare and file with the SEC the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Exchange Offer; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 20 Business Days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is delivered to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the day that is two years after the Issue Date.

Each Holder (including, without limitation, each Participating Broker-Dealer) that participates in the Exchange Offer, as a condition to participation in the Exchange Offer, will be required to represent to the Issuers in writing (which may be contained in the applicable letter of transmittal) that: (i) any Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Registrable Securities tendered are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the Person receiving such Exchange Securities, whether or not such recipient is such Holder itself; (ii) at the time of the commencement or consummation of the applicable Exchange Offer neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder has an arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the applicable Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; (iii) neither the Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) of an Issuer or, if it is an affiliate of an Issuer, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable and will provide information to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with Section 6 hereof in order to have their Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the provisions regarding Additional Interest in Section 5 hereof; (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Securities; and (v) if such Holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, such Holder has acquired such Registrable Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder).

Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) and Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(d)(iv) is applicable and Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have no further obligation to register Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) and Exchange Securities as to which clause 2(d)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”), whether such positions or policies have been

 

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publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities in compliance with the Securities Act.

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days, such longer period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 6 hereof (the “Applicable Period”).

If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers hold any Notes acquired by them that have the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Issuers, upon the request of the Initial Purchasers, shall simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes issue and deliver to the Initial Purchasers, in exchange (the “Private Exchange”) for such Notes held by any such Initial Purchasers, a like principal amount of the applicable series of notes (the “Private Exchange Notes”) of the Issuers, guaranteed by the Guarantors, if applicable, that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private Exchange Notes. The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes if permitted by the CUSIP Global Services.

In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:

(1) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Holder of record entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(2) use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 20 Business Days from the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is delivered to Holders of the applicable series of Notes (or longer if required by applicable law);

(3) [Reserved];

(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Exchange Offer remains open; and

(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Exchange Offer.

As soon as practicable after the expiration of the Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange, the Issuers shall:

(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange;

 

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(2) deliver to the applicable Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and

(3) cause the applicable Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the applicable series of Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange; provided that, in the case of any Notes held in global form by a depositary, authentication and delivery to such depositary of one or more replacement Notes of the applicable series in global form in an equivalent principal amount thereto for the account of such Holders in accordance with the Indenture shall satisfy such authentication and delivery requirement.

The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; (ii) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which might materially impair the ability of the Issuers and the Guarantors to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers or the Guarantors; (iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange; and (iv) the accuracy of customary representations of the Holders and other representations as may reasonably be necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations, the satisfaction by the Holders of customary conditions relating to the delivery of Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Notes (and related guarantees) and the execution and delivery of customary documentation relating to the Exchange Offer.

(c) The Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Notes (and related guarantees) shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Securities shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes of a series outstanding shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes outstanding of a series will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.

(d) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within two years of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in writing to the Issuers at any time within 30 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the Issuers within 30 days after such Holder first becomes aware of such restrictions, in the case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, then the Issuers shall promptly (but, for the avoidance of doubt, no earlier than the date that is two years after the Issue Date) deliver to the applicable Trustee (to deliver to the Holders of the applicable series of Notes) written notice thereof (the “Shelf Notice”) and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

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3. Shelf Registration

If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(d) hereof, then:

(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall as promptly as practicable file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities (the “Initial Shelf Registration”). The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1, Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings).

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (i) the date that is four years after the Issue Date, (ii) such shorter period ending when all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or, if applicable, a Subsequent Shelf Registration or (iii) the date upon which all Registrable Securities are resold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (the “Effectiveness Period”); provided, however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time, the Issuers may delay the filing of any Initial Shelf Registration Statement or delay or suspend the effectiveness thereof, for a reasonable period of time, but not in excess of 90 consecutive days or more than three (3) times during any calendar year (each, a “Shelf Suspension Period”), if the Boards of Directors of the Issuers determine reasonably and in good faith that the filing of any such Initial Shelf Registration Statement or the continuing effectiveness thereof would require the disclosure of non-public material information that, in the reasonable judgment of the Boards of Directors of the Issuers, would be detrimental to the Issuers if so disclosed or would otherwise materially adversely affect a financing, acquisition, disposition, merger or other material transaction or such disclosure is required by applicable law.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors shall be obligated to file a Shelf Registration, or cause a Shelf Registration to be effective or continue to be effective, prior to the date that is two years after the Issue Date.

(b) Withdrawal of Stop Orders; Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the Securities registered thereunder or a Shelf Suspension Period), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall file an additional Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term “Shelf Registration” means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

 

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(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers shall promptly supplement and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities (or their counsel) covered by such Registration Statement with respect to the information included therein with respect to one or more of such Holders, or, if reasonably requested by any underwriter of such Registrable Securities, with respect to the information included therein with respect to such underwriter.

4. [Reserved].

5. Additional Interest

(a) The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the Issuers or the Guarantors fail to fulfill their respective obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers and the Guarantors agree to pay, jointly and severally, as liquidated damages, additional interest on the Registrable Securities of the applicable series of Notes (“Additional Interest”) if (A) the Issuers have neither (i) exchanged Exchange Securities for all Securities of such series validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer nor (ii) had a Shelf Registration Statement declared effective, in either case on or prior to the day that is two years after the Issue Date or (B) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the Securities registered thereunder), then Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the applicable series of Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such Additional Interest continues to accrue, provided that the rate at which such Additional Interest accrues may in no event exceed 1.00% per annum) (such Additional Interest to be calculated by the Issuers) commencing on the (x) the day after the date that is two years after the Issue Date, in the case of (A) above or (y) the day such Shelf Registration (if required) ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above; provided, however, that upon the exchange of the Exchange Securities for all Securities of such series tendered (in the case of clause (A) of this Section 5), or upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of (B) of this Section 5), Additional Interest on the Notes of such series in respect of which such events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5, none of the Issuers or the Guarantors shall be obligated to pay Additional Interest provided in Section 5(a)(B) during a Shelf Suspension Period permitted by Section 3(a) hereof; provided, that no Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes following the fourth anniversary of the Issue Date.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors shall be obligated to pay any Additional Interest, and no Additional Interest shall accrue, on any series of Notes prior to the date that is two years after the Issue Date.

 

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(b) The Issuers shall notify the applicable Trustee within three business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an “Event Date”). Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 5 will be payable in cash semiannually on the interest payment dates stated in the Indenture with respect to the applicable series of Notes (to the holders of record of such series of Notes on the record dates stated in the Indenture with respect to such series of Notes immediately preceding such dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue with respect to such series of Notes. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by the Issuers by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the applicable series of Registrable Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30 day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.

6. Registration Procedures

In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

(a) Prepare and file with the SEC (prior to the applicable Filing Date in the case of a Shelf Registration), a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by Section 2 or 3 hereof, and use reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Issuers have received prior written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers shall furnish to and afford counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or counsel for such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, and counsel to the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least three business days prior to such filing). The Issuers shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object.

(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period (other than during a Shelf Suspension Period), the Applicable Period or until consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be; cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act

 

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applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by an Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus in all material respects. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall be deemed not to have used commercially reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective if they voluntarily take any action that is reasonably expected to result in selling Holders of the Registrable Securities covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Securities not being able to sell such Registrable Securities or such Exchange Securities during that period unless such action is required by applicable law or permitted by this Agreement.

(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Issuers have received written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within three Business Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy (which may be in electronic form) of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or resales of Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 6(m) hereof cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by the Issuers of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or Prospectus so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuers’ determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

 

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(d) Use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction.

(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if requested during the Effectiveness Period by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any) or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders or counsel for either of them reasonably request to be included therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement.

(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests (with respect to any such Registration Statement) and to its counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy (which may be in electronic form) of the Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.

(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, its counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the Issuers, as many copies (which may be in electronic form) of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus contained in any Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Securities pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

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(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, use reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that where Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Securities are offered other than through an underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 6(h), keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, further, however, that none of the Issuers or the Guarantors shall be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where they are not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject them to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject or (C) subject themselves to taxation in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject.

(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (subject to applicable requirements contained in the Indenture) and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.

(j) Use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other U.S. governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals.

(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph 6(c)(v) or 6(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to Section 6(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as

 

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thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or to the purchasers of the Exchange Securities to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the applicable Trustee with certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the applicable series of Registrable Securities.

(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities (including, without limitation, a customary condition to the obligations of the underwriters that the underwriters shall have received “comfort” letters and updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of the Issuers, or of any business acquired by the Issuers, for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to representatives of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities), and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Securities and, in such connection, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with respect to the business of the Issuers (including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable), and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by Issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities; (ii) obtain a written opinion of counsel to the Issuers, and written updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed to representatives of the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in underwritten offerings; and (iii) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures substantially consistent with those set forth in Section 8 hereof, taken as a whole (or such other provisions and procedures reasonably acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder.

 

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(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any Initial Purchaser, any selling Holder of such Registrable Securities being sold (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, or underwriter who, in each case, shall certify to the Issuers that they have, or, in the case of any attorney, accountant or other agent, that they are acting on behalf of one or more Selling Holders, Participating Broker-Dealers or underwriters, as applicable, who has a current intention to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration (any such Initial Purchasers, Holders, Participating Broker-Dealers, underwriters, attorneys, accountants or agents, collectively, the “Inspectors”), upon written request, at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Issuers and subsidiaries of the Issuers (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably necessary, in the opinion of counsel for such Inspector, to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Issuers and any of its subsidiaries to supply all information (“Information”) reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such due diligence responsibilities. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records and Information confidential, to use the Information only for due diligence purposes, to abstain from using the Information as the basis for any market transactions in securities of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries and that it will not disclose any of the Records or Information that the Issuers determine, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or material omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release of such Records or Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records or Information has been made generally available to the public other than by an Inspector or an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) thereof; provided, however, that prior notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuers of the potential disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this sentence to permit the Issuers to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of the Holder or any Inspector.

(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust indentures provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indentures and the Holders of the Registrable Securities, to effect such changes (if any) to such indentures as may be required for such indentures to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

(p) Comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, a consolidated earning statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year of Holdings) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of Holdings, after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods; provided that this requirement shall be deemed satisfied by the Issuers complying with Section 4.03 of the Indenture.

 

 

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(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the applicable Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, the related guarantee, if applicable, and the related indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors, as applicable, enforceable against the Issuers and the Guarantors, as applicable, in accordance with their respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications. If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers), in exchange for the applicable series of Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, the Issuers shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the applicable series of Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(r) Use reasonable efforts to cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (“FINRA”).

(s) Use reasonable efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Securities and/or Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any seller so long as such seller fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf

 

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Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller so that any prospectus relating to such Shelf Registration shall not contain, with respect to such Seller, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Issuers, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Issuers, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be required.

Each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 6 (c)(ii), 6(c)(iv), 6(c)(v), or 6(c)(vi) hereof, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Issuers that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuers shall give any such notice, each of the Applicable Period and the Effectiveness Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(k) hereof or (y) the Advice.

7. Registration Expenses

All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Issuers or the Guarantors of their respective obligations under Sections 2, 3, 6 and 9 shall be borne by the Issuers and the Guarantors, whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the FINRA in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (x) where the holders of

 

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Registrable Securities are located, in the case of the Exchange Securities, or (y) as provided in Section 6(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement or if the Prospectus is in respect of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) fees and expenses of the applicable Trustee, any exchange agent and their counsel, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Securities selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers) exclusive of any counsel retained pursuant to Section 8 hereof, (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 6(m) hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of any “comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, if any, and any fees associated with making the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities eligible for trading through The Depository Trust Company, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Issuers desire such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers and the Guarantors (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Issuers and the Guarantors performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit, (xi) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if applicable and (xii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.

8. Indemnification and Contribution

(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, and each Person, if any, who controls such Person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Participant”) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any Participant may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus included therein (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus; or

(ii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus included therein (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any other document or any amendment or supplement thereto, in respect of such Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or, in respect of such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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except, in each case, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or any Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing through the Initial Purchasers or any selling Holder expressly for use therein;

and agree (subject to the limitations set forth in the proviso to this sentence) to reimburse, as incurred, the Participant for any reasonable legal or other out of pocket expenses incurred by the Participant in connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors will be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers by such Participant specifically for use therein. The indemnity provided for in this Section 8 will be in addition to any liability that the Issuers may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be liable under this Section 8 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the Issuers and the Guarantors, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(b) Each Participant, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, their respective directors (or equivalent), their respective officers who sign any Registration Statement, affiliates and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any such director, officer, affiliate or controlling person may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or (ii) the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Participant, furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of such Participant, specifically for use therein; and subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as incurred, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by the Issuers, the Guarantors or any such director, officer, affiliate or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. The indemnity provided for in this Section 8 will be in addition to any liability that the Participants may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Participants shall not be liable under this Section 8 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the Participants, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of written notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person); (ii) such action includes both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person) that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. It is understood and agreed that the indemnifying person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or separate but related or substantially similar proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel that is required to effectively defend against any such proceedings) representing the indemnified parties under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Section 8, as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions. Any such separate firm for any Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities sold by all such Participants in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 8 or the Issuers in the case of paragraph (b) of this Section 8. In the event that any Participants are indemnified persons collectively entitled, in connection with a proceeding or separate but related or substantially similar proceedings in a single jurisdiction, to the payment of fees and expenses of a single separate firm under this Section 8(c), and any such Participants cannot agree to a mutually acceptable separate firm to act as counsel thereto, then such separate firm for all such indemnified parties shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities sold by all such Participants. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the

 

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indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include any statement as to, or any admission of, fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. All fees and expenses reimbursed pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.

(d) After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the third sentence of paragraph (c) of this Section 8 or (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived in writing its rights under this Section 8, in which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such consent.

(e) In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 8 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (other than by virtue of the failure of an indemnified party to notify the indemnifying party of its right to indemnification pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8, where such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses)), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and such Participant on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Securities received by the Issuers bear to the total discounts and commissions received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Securities (or if such Participant did not receive discounts or commissions, the value of receiving the Securities, Private Exchange Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act). The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand, or the Participants on the other, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. The parties

 

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agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (e). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (e), no Participant shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total discounts, commissions and other compensation or net proceeds on the sale of Securities received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Securities, less the aggregate amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a material fact, and no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who controls a Participant within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Participants, and each director of the Issuers and the Guarantors, each officer of the Issuers and the Guarantors and each person, if any, who controls any of the Issuers and the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers.

9. Rule 144A

The Issuers covenant and agree that they will use reasonable best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (it being understood that the foregoing shall be deemed to be satisfied upon the filing of any reports by Holdings as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, so long as Holdings remains a Guarantor under the Notes) and, if at any time the Issuers are not required to file such reports, the Issuers will, upon the reasonable request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities, make available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A. The Issuers further covenant and agree, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding that they will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144A unless the Issuers are then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports filed thereunder satisfy the information requirements of Rule 144A then in effect.

10. Underwritten Registrations

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be required to assist in an underwritten offering unless requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities. If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.

No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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11. Miscellaneous

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Issuers’ other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not enter into any agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any of the Securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.

(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement with respect to each series of Notes may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of (I) the Issuers, and (II) (A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Securities of such series of Notes and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section 8 and this Section 11(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities of a series of Notes whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities of such series that are not being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities of the applicable series of Notes being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including, without limitation, any notices or other communications to the applicable Trustee) provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:

(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Securities or any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer set forth on the records of the registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial Purchasers as follows:

 

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BofA Securities, Inc.

50 Rockefeller Plaza

NY1-050-12-01

New York, New York 10020

Facsimile: (646) 855-5958

Attention: High Grade Transaction Management/Legal

with a copy to:

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

32 Old Slip

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Douglas Horowitz, Esq., Joshua Zelig, Esq. and Elizabeth Yahl, Esq.

(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section 11(d)(i);

(iii) if to the Issuers, at the address as follows:

Dell Inc.

One Dell Way, RR1-33

Round Rock, Texas 78682

Attention: Robert Potts

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Ave.

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Hui Lin, Esq.

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and upon written confirmation, if sent by facsimile.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.

(e) Sole Remedy. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, except as provided in Section 8, the payment of Additional Interest as set forth in Section 5 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to any party to this Agreement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and Participating Broker-Dealers for any failure by any of the Issuers or the Guarantors to perform its or their obligations under this Agreement and each of the parties hereto and, by its acceptance of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer agree that such parties, the Holders of Registrable Securities and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be entitled to any other remedy for such failure, including, without limitation, specific performance of any obligation or term of this Agreement.

 

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(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries 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, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

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

(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

(k) Notes Held by the Issuers or their Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Issuers or their affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Securities and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand and the Issuers and the Guarantors on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and replaced hereby.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

Very truly yours,
DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
EMC CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
 

Title:  Senior Vice President, Corporate Securities and Finance Counsel and Assistant Secretary

DELL INC.
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
DENALI INTERMEDIATE INC.
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

  Name: Robert L. Potts
  Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed

and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ E. Peter Contrucci

  Name: E. Peter Contrucci
  Title: Managing Director

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ Laurie Campbell

  Name: Laurie Campbell
  Title: Managing Director

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ Brian D. Bednarski

  Name: Brian D. Bednarski
  Title: Managing Director

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ Kashif Malik

  Name: Kashif Malik
  Title: Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Nevin Bhatia

  Name: Nevin Bhatia
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ Som Bhattacharyya

  Name: Som Bhattacharyya
  Title: Executive Director

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

as Authorized Representative

By:  

/s/ Carolyn Hurley

  Name: Carolyn Hurley
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]